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The prevalence of coeliac disease is significantly higher in children compared with adults

M Mariné1, C Farre, M Alsina

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitari Mútua de Terrassa, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|December 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Coeliac disease prevalence is significantly higher in children (1:71) than adults (1:357). This study highlights age-related differences in coeliac disease, with prevalence decreasing in older populations.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Limited studies suggest higher coeliac disease frequency in infancy and adolescence compared to adulthood.
  • These age-related differences in coeliac disease prevalence have not been adequately demonstrated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate age and gender variations in coeliac disease prevalence.
  • To quantify the differences in coeliac disease prevalence across different age groups.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based study included 4230 subjects aged 1 to 80 years, matched for age and gender.
  • Serological testing (anti-transglutaminase, antiendomysial antibodies) and duodenal biopsies were used for diagnosis.
  • Log-linear models analyzed prevalence by age, with a significant expansion of the pediatric sample due to initial findings.

Main Results:

  • Overall coeliac disease prevalence was 1:204, with a 1:2.5 male-to-female ratio.
  • Prevalence was markedly higher in children (1:71) versus adults (1:357) (P=0.00005).
  • A significant decrease in prevalence was observed with increasing age (-5%), and within the pediatric group (-17%).

Conclusions:

  • Childhood coeliac disease prevalence is approximately five times higher than in adults.
  • Further prospective studies are needed to determine if environmental factors or adult latency explain these observed differences.
Abstract

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