Regional differences in coeliac disease prevalence in Scandinavia?
BACKGROUND
According to investigations from the central region of Sweden (Linköping), Norway, and Finland based on antibody screening, the prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) is around 1:300 (0.33%). In Denmark surveys in paediatric departments have shown a prevalence of only 1:10,000. The aim of the present study was to study the prevalence of CD in southern Sweden.


METHODS
From October 1996 to February 1997, 1970 healthy blood donors were screened for CD in a serial procedure: first IgA and IgG gliadin antibodies (GA) and then endomysial antibodies in those positive for GA.


RESULTS
One patient had previously known CD. Two patients had gastrointestinal symptoms and an increased number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, with improvement on a gluten-free diet. Three of 185 GA-positive blood donors had endomysial antibodies and biopsy-verified CD. Thus, 4 of 1970 blood donors had classic CD, resulting in a prevalence of 1:492 (0.20%)--that is, rather similar to that found in Linköping, Sweden, and in Finland and Norway. If the two persons with gluten-sensitive diarrhoea were also included, the prevalence was 6:1970 = 1:328, or 0.30%.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of classic CD (1:492) in southern Sweden is comparable to that found in the rest of Scandinavia, except for Denmark.
Dept. of Medicine, University of Lund, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
K
K
Sjöberg
S
S
Eriksson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005903:Gliadin / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D005903:Gliadin