The Irish are known for being lucky… But does that luck hold out when it comes to celiac disease?
The prevalence of celiac disease among the Iris is 1:100, about the same as the rest of the world. And if you are a redhead of Irish descent, there is a good chance that you are an HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 gene carrier.
Today, the Gluten Free RN explores Irish ancestry and celiac disease, discussing how the Potato Famine led to a change in diet for much of the surviving population. She walks us through a paper published by Irish College of General Practitioners explaining the clinical presentations and complications of celiac disease.
Nadine shares her experience running the Dublin marathon and the health consequences she suffered after touring the Guinness brewery. Listen in to understand the work of the Coeliac Society of Ireland and learn about the trends in celiac disease among the Irish.
What’s Discussed:
Why red hair is associated with celiac disease
- Tend to be HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 gene carriers
The prevalence of celiac disease in Irish Setters
- Do much better on a gluten-free/Paleo diet
The Irish Potato Famine
- Potato-based diet, little access to grains
- Famine from 1845-1849
- One million died, many emigrated
The myth that celiac disease is more prevalent in Europe than the US
- 30-50% of the population carries HLA-DQ2, HLA-DQ8 gene
The myth that women are more susceptible to celiac disease
- Statistics don’t support this belief
The Irish College of General Practitioners paper on celiac disease
- Clinical presentations, complications of celiac disease
- Conditions associated with increased prevalence
The prevalence of celiac disease in Ireland
- 1:100 (matches rest of world)
The appropriate testing for celiac disease and NCGS
- Blood test for total IgA/IgG, DGP and AGA
Nadine’s experience running the Dublin marathon in 1998
- Extreme edema in lower extremities
The information provided by the Coeliac Society of Ireland
- Health ramifications of undiagnosed CD
- Average duration from symptoms to diagnosis (nine months)
Resources:
‘Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy in a Family of Irish Setters’ in The Canadian Veterinary Journal
‘Diagnosis and Management of Adult Coeliac Disease’ in ICGP
‘Prevalence and Incidence of Celiac Disease in Edinburgh and the Lothian Region of Scotland’ in Gastroenterology
‘Prevalence and Diagnosis’ by the Coeliac Society of Ireland
‘Coeliac Disease in Europe’ in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
‘Escalation in the Amount of Adults Diagnosed with Coeliac Disease’ in Lifestyle Health
‘Gluten-Free Foods’ by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland
‘How Irish Diets of the Past Affect the Present’ in The Irish Times
‘Changes in Presentation of Celiac Disease in Ireland from the 1960s to 2015’ in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
‘Coeliac Disease: A Personal Perspective’ in Irish Health
‘Coeliac Disease: More Common Than You Think in Irish Health
‘Pathology and Management of Coeliac Disease’ by the Dublin Academic Medical Centre & UCD
Connect with Nadine:
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Melodies of the Danube Gluten-Free Cruise with Nadine
Books by Nadine:
Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism
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I was borncwith Ceol8ac disease in 1939. No one knew. I lived in the East Endnof London, one of seven. My Grandmother was from Ireland. I had beautiful red hair. One of my younger sisters born in 1942cwas very ill and was diagnosed with Coeliac disease but not me.
I was tiny for my years and thin and always aneamic and of concern to welfare. Despite being hospitalised at times no one connected it to my younger sister andxwasctold to eat steak and oranges!!
Well i coped on iron tablets until I moved to Surrey where the GP aghast at how I looked sent mevto a colleague of his at Guys hospital where I was for six weeks and finally after a tube down my throat it was announced I was a coeliac.. I was angry and happy. I could deal with the diet if I was going to be stronger. I have not looked back since and the diet is such a part of me mow and I am still very well thank you. I play lawn bowls outdoors in summer and indoors in winter. I have more energy than those not on my diet. My younger sister and i are the healthy ones still living!!!!