High prevalence of coeliac disease in a population-based study from Western Australia:   a case for screening?

Olynyk, John K; Cullen, Digby J E; Vautier, Guy; Collett, Judith A; Mallon, Dominic F; Hovell, Chris J

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04421.x

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In reply: We agree with Ryan that coeliac disease is common in the Australian community, with a prevalence of 1 in 250.1 Furthermore, all individuals positive for antiendomysial antibody who undergo small-bowel biopsy have typical features of coeliac disease.1 Clearly, there is a need to increase awareness relating to coeliac disease and determine appropriate screening strategies for our population.

1 Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, WA.
2 Royal Defence Medical College, Gosport, UK.

Correspondence: jolynyk@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

1. Hovell CJ, Collett JA, Vautier G, et al. High prevalence of coeliac disease in a population-based study from Western Australia: a case for screening? Med J Aust 2001; 175: 247-250.
2. Ryan J. Case 5-2001: unsuspected celiac disease [letter]. N Engl J Med 2001; 344: 1950-1951.
3. Navab F. Case 5-2001: unsuspected celiac disease [letter]. N Engl J Med 2001; 344: 1951-1952.

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