title: [Prevalence and features of coeliac disease in the Mediterranean area of Spain].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of coeliac disease in patients of a basic health area in Valencia, on the Mediterranean coast, and describe their sociodemographic and clinical features.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted on a target population of the inhabitants of the Basic Health Area 14th, Health Department Xàtiva-Ontinyent, in Valencia, comprising the municipalities of Ontinyent, Aielo de Malferit, and Fontanars dels Alforins.
  
  
  METHODS
  the patient belongs to a quota of Primary Care in the basic health area and the diagnosis of coeliac disease was active in the computerised medical records.
  
  
  METHODS
  the patient did not have any serology or intestinal biopsy compatible with coeliac disease. The study included 115 patients, selected to complete an interviewer-administered questionnaire. As 9 patients did not respond, the study was performed with 106 people.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of coeliac disease is 0.26%, and higher among women than among men (2.31: 1), with a statistically significant difference. The mean age of the patients was 29.71 years. The mean diagnostic delay was 5.15 years, and among the paediatric population it was 0.68 years. There were no statistically significant differences between patients (60) born in spring and summer, and the 46 born in autumn and winter. The prevalence of coeliac disease among first-degree relatives was 7.06%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coeliac disease is an underdiagnosed condition in our environment, especially among adults, so knowledge and awareness about this disease by general practitioners is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud Ontinyent-II, Ontinyent, Valencia, España. Electronic address: emilinavalon@gmail.com.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Navalón-Ramon
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud Ontinyent-II, Ontinyent, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Juan-García
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud Ontinyent-II, Ontinyent, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinzón-Rivadeneira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019083:Mediterranean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Características de la población; Coeliac disease; Enfermedad celíaca; Epidemiology; Epidemiología; España; Population characteristics; Prevalence; Prevalencia; Spain