--- title: Celiac Disease slug: celiac-disease-d34c5 url: /detay/celiac-disease-d34c5 type: article language: English entity: primary: Celiac Disease type: article disambiguation: Celiac disease: A chronic digestive disorder triggered by gluten. Learn symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. categories: - name: Biology slug: biyoloji url: /kategori/biyoloji - name: Health And Medicine slug: saglik-ve-tip url: /kategori/saglik-ve-tip - name: General Knowledge slug: genel-kultur url: /kategori/genel-kultur tags: - Public Awareness - Malabsorption - Villous Atrophy - Gluten-Free Diet - Celiac Disease author: Kardelen Durukan created_at: 2025-06-23T12:51:03.801403+03:00 updated_at: 2025-06-24T13:49:30.400622+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/06/23/ozj27p4wbSqm2eOg010WbCtJr1VMRiLf.jpg --- # Celiac Disease ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Celiac Disease ![image (30).jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/06/23/gJnJgAhyyooSCgregcHwSp2aNJBvGq41.jpg) *Visual prepared with AI support.* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Comlications of Celiac Disease | Neurological and Psychiatric Issues,Dermatitis Herpetiformis,Bone Disordes,Fertility and Pregnancy Problems,Nutritional Deficiencies | ## Article Content [Celiac disease](/en/detay/cystic-fibrosis-cfe47/llms.txt) is a chronic, immune-mediated digestive disorder that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals as an abnormal immune response to gluten, a protein found in [wheat](/en/detay/wheat-triticum-spp-4abd8/llms.txt), barley, rye, and, in some cases, oats. This disease damages the small intestine by flattening the villi—finger-like structures responsible for nutrient absorption—leading to impaired absorption and a wide range of clinical manifestations. ### **Epidemiology and Prevalence** Celiac disease can occur at any age, in all races, and in both genders. It is estimated to affect approximately 0.03% to 1% of the population. However, due to its broad clinical spectrum—from completely asymptomatic cases to severe symptoms—determining the true prevalence is difficult. It is estimated that only about 10% of affected individuals are diagnosed. In Türkiye, as of November 2023, 166,614 individuals have been diagnosed with celiac disease according to the Health Information Systems data. However, the number of undiagnosed individuals is believed to be much higher, representing the "hidden iceberg" of the disease. ### **Etiology and Pathogenesis** Both genetic predisposition (especially the presence of HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes) and gluten consumption are necessary for disease development. Gluten triggers an immune response in the [small intestinal mucosa](/en/detay/intestine-5b26f/llms.txt) of celiac patients, causing villous atrophy. This leads to malabsorption and numerous systemic symptoms. ### **Signs and Symptoms** Celiac disease can present with intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms. ***Symptoms in children:*** - Abdominal pain - Abdominal bloating - Chronic diarrhea - Irritability, loss of appetite - Growth retardation, delayed height increase - Failure to gain weight - Vomiting ***Symptoms in adults:*** - Abdominal distension - Weight loss and muscle weakness - Anemia - Elevated liver enzymes - Joint and bone pain - Itchy skin rash (Dermatitis herpetiformis) - Gas, bloating, chronic diarrhea, or constipation - Depression, irritability ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/06/23/yBcpRz9d3tWsesxvN8qFIFlme2PbOqoF.png) *Celiac Diagnosis Algorithm. (ResearchGate)* ### **Diagnosis** Serological tests (anti-tTG IgA, EMA, DGP) are primarily used for screening. If these tests are positive, the diagnosis is confirmed by endoscopic small intestine biopsy showing villous damage. It is important that gluten-containing foods are consumed before testing, as a gluten-free diet can cause false-negative results. ### **Treatment** The only effective treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong strict gluten-free [diet](/en/detay/atkins-diet-3d0ad/llms.txt). This diet: - Eliminates disease symptoms - Allows healing of villous structures - Prevents long-term complications - Improves quality of life ***Basic principles of the diet:*** - Avoid foods containing wheat, barley, rye, and oats - Develop a habit of reading food labels - Pay attention to indirect gluten sources such as food additives, cosmetics, and medications - Prevent cross-contamination during food preparation ***Safe foods include:*** - All vegetables and fruits - Unprocessed meat, fish, chicken - Eggs, honey, jam, olives, solid and liquid oils - Corn, rice, potatoes, and their flours - Chickpea flour, chestnut flour, grape seed flour, soy flour - Home-ground spices ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/06/23/VTgmU6tle0iJLoiyHF8rfKnKVt3dtvKw.jpg) *Gluten-containing foods. (Visual prepared with AI support.)* ### **Complications** If diagnosis is delayed or diet is not followed, serious health problems can develop: - Malabsorption - Deficiencies of iron, calcium, and vitamin D - Osteoporosis - Infertility - Miscarriages - Malignancies such as small bowel lymphoma ### **Public Health and Awareness Efforts** The Ministry of Health of Türkiye carries out various initiatives to raise awareness of celiac disease, including: - Brochures and posters for the public and children - Informational activities in schools - Teacher guidance manuals on celiac disease - Encouraging the availability of gluten-free products in school cafeterias - Diagnosis-treatment-follow-up guides for family physicians - Gluten-free menu guides for mass feeding systems These efforts aim to increase early diagnosis rates, integrate undiagnosed individuals into the health system, and promote gluten-free living as a lifestyle rather than merely a treatment. Celiac disease is a difficult-to-diagnose condition with highly variable symptoms, treatable only with diet. Raising public awareness, educating healthcare professionals, and establishing gluten-free infrastructures directly improve the quality of life for those affected. With early diagnosis and correct diet, celiac disease can become a manageable lifestyle. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Celiac Disease.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/celiac-disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Dietary Changes for Celiac Disease.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/celiac-disease/dietary-changes-for-celiac-disease.Ludvigsson, Jonas F., David S. Sanders, Ciarán P. Kelly, Alessio Fasano, and Daniel A. Leffler. “The Oslo Definitions for Coeliac Disease and Related Terms.” Gut 69, no. 3 (2020): 441–455. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7931573/.ResearchGate. “Diagnostic Algorithm for Celiac Disease Diagnosis.” ResearchGate. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Diagnostic-algorithm-for-celiac-disease-diagnosis\_fig6\_334634699.Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health. “Celiac Is Not an Obstacle to Your Life.” Ministry of Health. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://www.saglik.gov.tr/TR-2679/colyak-hayatiniza-engel-degil.html.Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health. “Celiac Disease Awareness Week.” Ministry of Health. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/haberler-6/coelyak-hastaligi-farkindalik-haftasi.html.Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health. “Metabolism and Celiac.” Ministry of Health. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/metabolizma-ve-colyak.html.Turkish Gastroenterology Foundation. “Celiac Disease and Its Diagnosis.” Current Medical Journal (Güncel Tıp Dergisi), no. 84 (2020). Accessed June 23, 2025. https://guncel.tgv.org.tr/journal/84/pdf/100661.pdf.