Dr. Fasano Is Coming To Richmond, Va

[GEF]

Name: Dr. Alessio Fasano from The Center For Celiac Research

Date: 09/19/2004, Sunday

Time: 2:30 PM

Place: Trinity United Methodist Church - 903 Forest Avenue

Comments:

Dr. Fasano is a leading researcher in celiac disease. He is the Co-Director of the University of Maryland Center For Celiac Research. After the release of the multi-center study on celiac disease, Dr. Fasano organized the American Celiac Task Force. Dr. Fasano will be discussing celiac disease "Where We Were, Where We Are, Where We Are Leading?"

Open Original Shared Link

[GEF]

I wanted to write a follow-up to my visit to the Richmond GIG today with Dr. Fasano guest speaking.

If I can say anything, it was a wonderful experience being around fellow celiacs & gluten intolerants. Many brought baked gluten-free goodies and there was lots of literature, etc. If you ever have the chance to visit a support group, I'd highly recommend it... it was quite fun and there were tons of people from a broad age spectrum.

Dr. Fasana spoke about how the celiac diagnosis has evolved through the years.. whether it be in understanding of the cause, symptoms or diagnostic testing. It was a very interesting and informative time. I personally had no idea how important HLA typing is and how this should be done along with the other celiac diagnostic tests. This is genetic testing for DQ2 & DQ8. He also spoke a lot about the research that his organization is doing and it's all very exciting.

Here are some celiac prevalence ratios that you may or may not have heard:

In healthy individuals: 1:133

In symptomatic individuals: 1:40 (now this one just amazes me!!)

In 1st degree relatives: 1:22

In 2nd degree relatives: 1:39

The good thing is that I pretty much knew most of what Dr. Fasano was discussing... it's amazing how much you learn here!!

Gretchen

[tarnalberry]

Wow... there is virtually no statistical significance between chances of having celiac from having a second degree relative and from having symptoms. That is _fascinating_ and likely has some significant implications. I'll have to try to find the original paper!