Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Record is Archived

    This article is now archived and is closed to further replies.

    Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    Greek Rate of Celiac Disease Among Lowest in Europe

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Celiac.com 01/29/2008 - If the results of a recent study are any indication, the Greeks might be among those least affected by celiac disease.

    The study on the prevalence of celiac disease in Greece shows that the people of Thessaly have a prevalence of celiac disease that is among the lowest of all the European populations.

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    Recent discoveries point to a greater prevalence of celiac disease than previously expected in a number of European populations, and the availability of new, accurate serological tests has made screening in the general population possible. These facts, coupled with the reality that no data exist regarding the prevalence of celiac disease in Greece, recently sparked a team of researchers to use a novel diagnostic algorithm to examine the general population of Thessaly, in central Greece, in an effort to determine rates of prevalence for celiac disease.

    Led by doctors Roka V, Potamianos SP, Kapsoritakis AN, Yiannaki EE, Koukoulis GN, Stefanidis I, Koukoulis GK, Germenis AE, the researcher team selected 2230 participants (1226 women, 1004 men, median age 46 years, range 18-80 years) by a random sampling from the adult general population of Thessaly.

    The researchers took blood samples and checked them for total immunoglobulin A (IgA)-serum levels, to eliminate IgA deficiency. The research team then examined samples that showed total IgA within the normal range for IgA antibodies compared to native human-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG); the researchers then tested samples that were anti-tTG positive for IgA antiendomysial antibodies (EmA).

    The researchers then examined samples from participants with selective IgA deficiency for IgG antigliadin antibodies. They referred for biopsy and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) typing those participants that showed EmA-positive or antigliadin antibody-positive.

    No participant with selective IgA deficiency was detected. Four individuals tested positive for EmA, all of whom were biopsy-proven coeliacs. Therefore, the prevalence of celiac disease within this general population sample is 1: 558 or 1.8 per 1000 (SE 0.13).

    The two men, two women that did show abnormal histology were between the ages of 18 and 35. Two of them were considered to be asymptomatic and two presented with a sub-clinical course. All four showed the heterodimer HLA-DQ2.

    The evidence indicates that the people of the central Greek area of Thessaly have a prevalence of celiac disease that is among the lowest of all the European populations.

    Eur. J. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Nov;19(11):982-7.



    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Guest Phyllis Morrow

    Posted

    Interesting. I was just thinking about travel in Greece. If the celiac rate is generally low, it might be hard to find Gluten-free foods (other than basics like yogurt, cheese, fruits and veg). Anybody out there know?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest arlene

    I will be going to the library for Greek cookbooks. thank you for this great info.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest MARISA

    Posted

    I am Greek....I can confirm what you are saying!!! No one in Greece seems to know what celiac is!! And of course is very hard for me to explain why I don't eat bread...Any way thanks for the information

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest frosty

    Posted

    After living there on and off for years, I noticed the difference of my condition. The beautiful Greek olive oil is something I crave, seemed to be able to cope there as well. I ate mostly the local farmers grew. Lets face it , fresh vegetables and fruit is worlds away from plastic wrap.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Susie

    Both my parents are from Greece. I was fortunate in that mum cooked every meal and she was clever enough to make the ordinary taste terrific. My husband and my stepdaughter both suffer from celiac disease. Most of the recipes I was brought up eating are gluten free or easily adaptable. The only downside is that I have not discovered a gluten free version of Filo pastry yet!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Guest
    This is now closed for further comments

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • About Me

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Related Articles

    Scott Adams
    Summary prepared by Nancy Kloberdanz as a joint effort of all the national celiac organizations GIG, CDF, CSA/USA, and ACS.
    Celiac organizations and patients from several states recently attended two very important educational lobbying efforts in Washington DC. The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF), American Celiac Society (ACS), and Celiac Sprue Association/United States of America (CSA/USA) were formally represented, and were advocates for the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC) and National Institute for Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Our goals in lobbying were twofold. First to encourage the Senators and Representatives we visited to support a 16.5 % increase in the Budget for NIH (National Institutes...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 08/06/2012 - Celiac disease seems to be on the rise in the United States, with recent population-based data suggest a sharp increase in rates over the last several decades.
    A number of researchers hypothesize that such a rise might be due in part to disease triggers including inter-current illnesses, such as gastroenteritis, surgeries, and trauma.
    But just how common is celiac disease among the healthy adult population, and what, if any, do prior illnesses have to do with it? To get a better idea of actual rates and connections, a team of researchers recently conducted a study regarding the incidence and risk of celiac disease in healthy U.S. adults.
    The research team included Mark S. Riddle, Joseph A. Murray and Chad K. Porter. For their study, they turned to data...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 01/31/2014 - Drug company BioLineRx has announced trials of BL-7010, a drug for treating celiac disease. BL-7010 is a new, non-absorbable, orally available polymer with a high affinity for gliadins, the immunogenic proteins present in gluten that cause celiac disease.
    BL-7010 is intended to treat celiac disease by sequestering and effectively masking gliadins from enzymatic degradation and preventing the formation of immunogenic peptides that trigger the classic adverse immune reaction.
    The BL-7010 is then excreted with gliadin from the digestive tract, preventing the absorption of gliadin into the blood.
    The overall effect is to significantly reduce the immune response triggered by gluten. According to BioLineRX, pre-clinical studies have shown BL-7010 to be both...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 01/21/2015 - Congratulations, shoppers with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivy, you are among the world's best informed and most loyal consumers, according to Paul Valder, President and CEO of the Allergen Control Group.
    The Allergen Control Group, with the endorsement of the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA), operates the Gluten Free Certification Program (GFCP).
    Speaking of these consumers, Valder says that they are not only the best ingredient label readers in the world, but "[o]nce they've identified a brand as safe, they'll stick with it, even if that means visiting multiple stores on a weekly basis."
    The Gluten-Free Certification Program has certified over 100 facilities in 12 countries, and over 2,500 products. Currently, over 130 GFCP...


  • Recent Activity

    1. - knitty kitty replied to Holly15892's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      7

      Growth spurt after diagnosis in adulthood

    2. - shadycharacter replied to Linedancegal's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      3

      25 year biopsy confirmed/ate pizza with no ill effects?

    3. - LimpToeTheTimeless replied to Holly15892's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      7

      Growth spurt after diagnosis in adulthood

    4. - trents replied to AlyO's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
      3

      Possible gluten exposure in 4yo


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,466
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    CtoThaE
    Newest Member
    CtoThaE
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Popular Now

    • Hannah24
    • jessiemariecar
    • Rhonda H
    • HayleyC123
    • Touche
  • Popular Articles

    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...