For Medical Professionals
"Many physicians consider celiac disease exceedingly rare because they say they have never seen someone present with it. But with such varied symptoms, celiac disease is being missed or misdiagnosed."
National Institutes of Health Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign
The health consequences of untreated celiac disease can be serious, disabling or even deadly. However, new research on atypical presentations, advances in diagnostic tools and the widespread popularity of gluten-free foods makes it relatively easy in most cases for doctors to diagnose celiac disease, and for celiacs to maintain a healthy and satisfying gluten-free diet.
The National Institutes of Health convened a Consensus Development Conference on Celiac Disease in 2004 and subsequently published the NIH Consensus Statement on Celiac Disease. The NIH launched a Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign in 2006.
It is now recognized that clinical manifestations of celiac disease are highly variable, may present at any age, and involve multiple organ systems. The classic presentation of diarrhea and malabsorption is less common, and atypical (extraintestinal) and silent presentations are increasing.
For symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, the nonprofit and government web sites below help summarize research from peer-reviewed medical journals and provide guidance in daily practice.
Schedule of Continuing Medical Education events in the North Bay
QUICK REFERENCE
University and Research Web Sites
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University
Center for Celiac Disease at Children's Hospital of Philadephia
Center for Celiac Disease at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Columbia University Celiac Disease Center
National Institutes of Health Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign
Stanford University Celiac Sprue Clinic
University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center
University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research
Wm. K. Warren Medical Research Center for Celiac Disease, University of California at San Diego