Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
Population screening for celiac disease: follow up of patients identified by positive serology
Raanan Shamir1, Vered Yehezkely-Schildkraut, Corina Hartman
1Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. shamirr@netvision.net.il
Insights
Many individuals with positive celiac disease (CD) screening results do not benefit from early detection. Further investigation is needed to understand the impact of CD screening on lifestyle and attitudes.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- A prior study identified 3.8% of healthy blood donors with positive celiac disease (CD) serology.
- This prevalence suggests a significant number of individuals may benefit from early CD detection and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of CD screening results and subsequent diagnosis on patient lifestyle and attitudes.
- To evaluate the long-term outcomes and adherence to gluten-free diet (GFD) among individuals with positive CD serology.
Main Methods:
- Telephone interviews were conducted with 51 individuals who had positive CD serology from a cohort of 1571 blood donors.
- Data collected included symptoms, medical follow-up, GFD adherence, and attitudes towards screening and its effects on lifestyle.
Main Results:
- Of 10 diagnosed CD patients, only four adhered to a GFD.
- Among those with positive serology but normal intestinal biopsies, few repeated serology or pursued further diagnosis.
- Many identified individuals did not appear to benefit from the screening's intended purpose of early intervention.
Conclusions:
- Current CD screening practices may not translate into tangible benefits for a significant portion of identified individuals.
- Further research is needed to optimize screening strategies and improve patient outcomes and GFD adherence.
Background And Aim:
A previous study that evaluated the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in a cohort of healthy blood donors, found that 3.8% of subjects had positive serology for CD. The aim of the present study was to examine how the screening results and the diagnosis of CD affected these patients' lifestyle and attitude toward CD.
Methods:
All subjects with positive serology for CD (n = 59) found in the previous study of healthy blood donors (n = 1571) were contacted and interviewed. Data collected included current and previous symptoms compatible with CD, medical follow up since being informed of positive serology for CD and adherence to gluten-free diet (GFD). Information was obtained regarding attitude towards the screening for CD, the results of the screening, and the effect of screening on subjects' lifestyle.
Results:
Of the 59 subjects, 51 were available for telephone interview, including all 10 subjects diagnosed with CD (positive serology and biopsy), 17/20 with positive serology and normal intestinal mucosa, and 24/29 with positive serology who refused to undergo intestinal biopsy. Of the 10 patients diagnosed with CD, four adhere to GFD. Only 1/17 subjects with normal intestinal mucosa repeated serology. Two of the 24 who initially refused a biopsy, underwent an intestinal biopsy, and one of them was currently diagnosed with CD. Only one patient diagnosed with CD had all his family members screened for CD.
Conclusions:
The data suggest that many of the patients identified in this screened population do not ultimately benefit from the purpose of the screening, which was early identification and treatment of a common disease with potential serious consequences.
