Celiac Disease on the Rise in the US Military Population: A 22 Year Retrospective Epidemiologic Study

Dig Dis Sci. 2023 Jul;68(7):3115-3118. doi: 10.1007/s10620-023-07964-8. Epub 2023 May 16.

Abstract

Introduction: We describe celiac disease epidemiology in the US military population.

Methods: This is a population-based study from data collected between 2000 and 2021. Incidence and prevalence rates and descriptive statistics for demographics are presented.

Results: Overall, 2248 incident cases of celiac disease were identified. The incidence rate increased from 1.2 to 14.0 per 100,000 person-years and the overall lifetime prevalence increased from 3.1 to 57.4 per 100,000 service members. In gastroenterology clinics, the incidence rate increased from 1.4 to 8.2 per 100,000 person-years, while prevalence increased from 3.3 to 33.4 per 100,000 service members.

Discussion: In this study, celiac disease incidence and prevalence increased significantly.

Keywords: Celiac disease; Epidemiology; Gluten; Immune mediated food allergy; Wheat allergy.

MeSH terms

  • Celiac Disease* / diagnosis
  • Celiac Disease* / epidemiology
  • Diet, Gluten-Free
  • Glutens
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Military Personnel*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Glutens