Simtomax, a novel point of care test for coeliac disease.
BACKGROUND
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition resulting from an abnormal reaction to dietary gluten leading to small bowel villous atrophy. International prevalence studies suggest that coeliac disease affects 1% of the adult population. However, despite its high prevalence, large numbers of patients go undiagnosed. One method of increasing detection rates would be to introduce a quick screening test in the form of a finger-prick blood test.


METHODS
There are currently four available point-of-care tests (POCTs) available for use by health professionals. This diagnostic evaluation will review the evidence for the use of POCTs in coeliac disease including Simtomax a novel test for deamidated gliadin peptides and total IgA level.


CONCLUSIONS
An accurate POCT has the potential to increase the rates of diagnosis of coeliac disease if used effectively as part of a case finding approach in primary or secondary care. Evidence for the use of Simtomax is currently fairly limited only drawing comparison with laboratory serology rather than the gold standard of histology and it has only been trialled in high-risk populations. However, results to date are encouraging and further research into this area is required.
University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Regional Gastroenterology & Liver Unit, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust , Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF , UK.
Peter D
PD
Mooney
Matthew
M
Kurien
David S
DS
Sanders
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005903:Gliadin / Q000097:blood; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000592:standards*
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D005903:Gliadin