BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

• Karimzadhagh et al. (The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2025) estimated celiac disease prevalence among first-degree relatives

METHODS:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis
• Inclusion criteria
  • Observational studies
  • Studies that reported rates of celiac disease, as determined using the anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody test, among first-degree relatives of someone with the disease
• Study design
  • Random effects models were used
  • Heterogeneity was assessed

RESULTS:

• 34 studies | 10,016 first degree relatives of individuals with celiac disease
• Pooled estimates of celiac disease prevalence among first-degree relatives
  • Seroprevalence: 11% (95% CI, 9 to 13)
  • Biopsy-confirmed: 7% (95% CI, 6 to 9)
• Daughters and sisters had the highest prevalence rates vs sons and brothers
  • Daughters: 23% | Sons: 6%
  • Sisters: 14% | Brothers: 9%
• Regions with the highest prevalence
  • Seroprevalence
    • Hungary: 24% | Cuba: 19%
  • Biopsy-confirmed
    • Serbia: 16% | USA: 15%
• Most common GI symptoms
  • Abdominal pain: 42%
  • Bloating: 39%
  • Flatulence: 38%
• Most common non-Gl symptom
  • Pallor: 54%
• Asymptomatic first-degree relatives with confirmed celiac disease: 34%

CONCLUSION:

• The prevalence of celiac disease among first-degree relatives of someone with celiac disease was around 7%
  • The rate of disease was highest among daughters and sisters
• Over one third of confirmed cases were asymptomatic
• The authors state

Routine screening for first-degree relatives, the primary high-risk group, could support early detection and effective management of CeD

Learn More – Primary Sources:

Global Prevalence and Clinical Manifestations of Celiac Disease Among First-Degree Relatives: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis