[Is it time for mass screening for celiac disease?].

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Immunology

Background:

• Celiac disease is a prevalent condition with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Physician underdiagnosis of celiac disease is common.
• While a gluten-free diet manages symptoms, prevention offers greater health benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore primary and secondary prevention strategies for celiac disease.
• To review current research on the feasibility and effectiveness of these strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent prospective studies on celiac disease prevention.
• Analysis of mass screening as a secondary prevention option.

Main Results:

• Primary prevention of celiac disease is not currently feasible.
• Secondary preventive strategies can mitigate celiac disease-related morbidity.
• Mass screening is a viable secondary prevention approach.

Conclusions:

• Focus should be on secondary prevention to reduce celiac disease burden.
• Further research and implementation of screening protocols are warranted.