Decreasing incidence of celiac disease in Southern Sweden.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of celiac disease (CD) has increased rapidly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, but there are recent reports of rates levelling off in countries with a high prevalence. The aim of this study was to investigate current trends in CD in southern Sweden. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children and adults diagnosed with CD by biopsy or serology in the region of Skåne, southern Sweden, from 2010-2022 were included. The home address was identified through registers to analyze temporal and geographical trends. RESULTS: A total of 3218 CD-patients were identified (52.2% children), the vast majority detected in clinical care but a few children by screening studies. The age-standardized incidence rate was 18.6 cases/105. The incidence decreased at a rate of -0.75 cases/105 (95% CI -1.14 to -0.35, p 0.002). The incidence among girls under 18 years almost halved throughout the study period, decreasing by -2.94 cases/105 (95% CI -4.59 to -1.29, p 0.002), while there only were small changes among men. The most common age of onset was 3-9 years. CD incidence varied by place of living and was more common in small towns than urban or rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CD in southern Sweden is decreasing, primarily in children and women who traditionally have had the highest risk of CD. CD was diagnosed most frequently in children 3-9 years old. There were regional variations in incidence. CD was most common in small towns, pointing to the importance of environmental factors in CD etiology.

The risk for celiac disease after Covid-19 infection.

BACKGROUND: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease leading to gastrointestinal symptoms and mineral deficiencies. The pathogenetic mechanisms, besides the clear HLA association, are elusive. Among environmental factors infections have been proposed. Covid-19 infection results in a systemic inflammatory response that often also involves the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Covid-19 infection could increase the risk for CD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients, both children and adults, in the county Skåne (1.4 million citizens) in southern Sweden with newly diagnosed biopsy- or serology-verified CD or a positive tissue transglutaminase antibody test (tTG-ab) during 2016-2021 were identified from registries at the Departments of Pathology and Immunology, respectively. Patients with a positive Covid-19 PCR or antigen test in 2020 and 2021 were identified from the Public Health Agency of Sweden. RESULTS: During the Covid-19 pandemic (March 2020 - December 2021), there were 201 050 cases of Covid-19 and 568 patients with biopsy- or serology-verified CD or a first-time positive tTG-ab tests, of which 35 patients had been infected with Covid-19 before CD. The incidence of verified CD and tTG-ab positivity was lower in comparison to before the pandemic (May 2018 - February 2020; 22.5 vs. 25.5 cases per 100 000 person-years, respectively, incidence rate difference (IRD) -3.0, 95% CI -5.7 - -0.3, p = 0.028). The incidence of verified CD and tTG-ab positivity in patients with and without prior Covid-19 infection was 21.1 and 22.4 cases per 100 000 person-years, respectively (IRD - 1.3, 95% CI -8.5-5.9, p = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that Covid-19 is not a risk factor for CD development. While gastrointestinal infections seem to be an important part of the CD pathogenesis, respiratory infections probably are of less relevance.

Well-being and dietary adherence in patients with coeliac disease depending on follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: It is not clear how follow-up of coeliac disease should be optimally organised. In Malmö, Sweden, patients are followed up by general practitioners (GP), but in Linköping by gastroenterologists (GE). The aim of this study was to investigate if there were any differences in well-being and dietary adherence depending on type of follow-up. METHODS: All adult patients with newly diagnosed biopsy-verified coeliac disease in the cities between 2010 and 2014 were offered to participate. Data was retrieved comprising demography, laboratory analyses, questionnaires (Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale, Short Health Scale, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Psychological General Well-being Index and Short Form 36) and follow-up. RESULTS: In the GP cohort 39/73 patients and in the GE cohort 58/121 agreed to participate (mean age 43 and 44 years, 69 and 60% women, respectively). A follow-up to a dietician was carried out in 31% and 93% of patients, respectively (p < .001). In the GP group 28% had eaten gluten-containing food during the last 4 weeks compared to 9% in the GE group (p = .01). Despite this, no differences could be seen in vitamin or mineral levels. The questionnaires did not indicate any major discrepancies in subjective health. CONCLUSION: Irrespective of the design of the follow-up physical and mental well-being were comparable. Dietary adherence was not quite as good in the GP group but follow-up in a primary care setting can still be a suitable and equivalent alternative. However, it is crucial that the dietary counselling is structured in a way that ensures dietary adherence.