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The Canadian Celiac Health Survey

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize the diagnostic process, frequency of associated disorders, family history, and impact of a gluten-free diet in individuals with celiac disease. All members of the Canadian Celiac Association (n=5240) were surveyed with a questionnaire. Respondents included 2681 adults with biopsy-proven celiac disease. The mean age was 56 years. Most common presenting symptoms included abdominal pain (83%), diarrhea (76%), and weight loss (69%). The mean delay in diagnosis was 11.7 years. Diagnoses made prior to celiac disease included anemia (40%), stress (31%), and irritable bowel syndrome (29%). Osteoporosis was common. Prior to diagnosis, 27% of respondents consulted three or more doctors about their symptoms. Delays in diagnosis of celiac disease remain a problem. Associated medical conditions occur frequently. More accurate food labeling is needed. Improved awareness of celiac disease and greater use of serological screening tests may result in earlier diagnosis and reduced risk of associated conditions.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the CCA Board of Directors and the Institute of Research and Education for their generous financial support, the members of the CCA for their participation in the survey, Drs. A. Fasano, P. Green, and K. Stobart for reviewing the questionnaire, Dialogos consultants J. Lawn and Dr. D. Harvey for assisting with questionnaire development, and M. Prince for assistance with data entry and analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Ottawa Health Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, and Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

    Ann Cranney

  2. Member, Professional Advisory Board, Canadian Celiac Association, Edmonton, Canada

    Marion Zarkadas, J. Decker Butzner, Mohsin Rashid, Ralph Warren, Mavis Molloy, Shelley Case, Vernon Burrows & Connie Switzer

  3. School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Ian D. Graham

  4. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    J. Decker Butzner

  5. Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotiae, Canada

    Mohsin Rashid

  6. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Ralph Warren

  7. Clinical Dietitian, Kelowna General Hospital, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

    Mavis Molloy

  8. Consulting Dietitian, Saskatchewan, Regina, Canada

    Shelley Case

  9. Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Ottawa, Canada

    Vernon Burrows

  10. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmontons, Alberta, Canada

    Connie Switzer

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  1. Ann Cranney
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  2. Marion Zarkadas
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  10. Connie Switzer
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Correspondence to Mohsin Rashid.

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Cranney, A., Zarkadas, M., Graham, I.D. et al. The Canadian Celiac Health Survey. Dig Dis Sci 52, 1087–1095 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9258-2

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