Does coeliac disease affect colorectal practice?

INTRODUCTION: Screening studies of healthy volunteers have determined that coeliac disease affects 1% of the adult European population. Despite this, the majority of cases are unrecognised. Coeliac disease often presents in adults with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms. This may suggest that unrecognised cases are being seen in colorectal clinics with vague gastrointestinal symptoms, iron deficiency anaemia or irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, cases of coeliac disease may also be presenting as an emergency admission with non-specific abdominal pain.

OBJECTIVE: This review provides an update of the published data on case finding for coeliac disease, with the aim of improving the recognition of this disease in clinical practice.