Study indicates higher levels of coeliacs

COELIAC disease, a serious auto immune condition that can be caused by eating wheat, barley and other foods, may be more common than previously thought, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in the US.

The survey, conducted in Finland, shows that one person in 100 has the disease and, according to Dr Fiona Stephens, president of the Coeliac Society of Ireland, that figure is likely to be the same for Ireland.

"There have been no studies of this nature carried out in Ireland for years, said Dr Stephens, a lecturer in NUI Galway. The last study suggested the percentage was about one in 200 here but I believe new methods of screening would show that Irish people have a level similar to Scandinavians. We have the right genetic background."