A new study reveals that celiac disease is as common among the American population as among Europeans.
Celiac disease is an inherited sensitivity to gluten in wheat, barley and rye products. It affects one in 130 or so of Europeans but has always been believed to be rare among American populations.

Researchers at the University of Maryland have tested this hypothesis by screening relatives of those with celiac disease, as well as those with symptoms of the condition. At the same time, a number of healthy controls were also looked at. The study revealed that one in 22 of the first degree relatives and one in 39 second degree relatives also had celiac disease. And so too did one in 56 of those with symptoms. Among the healthy controls, one in 133 was found to have celiac disease. This means that the prevalence of celiac disease in Americans is actually about the same as among Europeans. Given that celiac disease can be a serious condition, it's important that doctors and potential patients in the US are aware of the possibility among those with a family history or tell-tale symptoms.