Celiac Quick Test Applications
The BIOHIT Celiac Quick Test serves as a user-friendly diagnostic tool for investigating symptoms of celiac disease at the point of care. This makes it particularly valuable for general practitioners, dieticians, and in outpatient settings, aiding in the exploration of the underlying causes of symptoms resembling irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in both adults and children. Results are acquired by analysing finger-prick blood samples for the presence of anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies, which serve as indicators of the disease. This test can be applied either prior to referral for endoscopy or within the endoscopy unit itself, where it may help assess the necessity for duodenal biopsy sampling during gastroscopy.
The Diagnosis of Celiac Disease
Celiac disease (CD) is a relatively prevalent autoimmune condition where the ingestion of gluten, a protein present in wheat, rye, and barley, triggers an immune response that damages the intestinal villi. This damage impedes the absorption of nutrients from food, potentially leading to malnutrition and lasting intestinal harm. Approximately 1% of the UK population is estimated to have CD, but it is often under-diagnosed due to its vague symptoms and the prevalence of self-diagnosis and management with readily available gluten-free products.
In children, CD symptoms typically manifest as tiredness and irritability, with a failure to thrive and develop, and sequels associated with chronic malabsorption. In adults with CD, consuming gluten-containing foods can result in various gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea, bloating, excessive wind, constipation, stomach pain, and indigestion. Additionally, there may be more general symptoms like fatigue and weight loss due to nutrient malabsorption. Untreated CD can lead to other autoimmune conditions like type I diabetes and thyroid disease, as well as complications such as anaemia, fertility issues, and neurological conditions.
While some individuals with CD may be asymptomatic, they can still experience long-term complications. A timely diagnosis is crucial, as delays in diagnosis and treatment increase the likelihood of complications. The primary treatment for CD involves permanently eliminating gluten-containing foods from the diet. This allows the damaged villi of the small intestine to recover and resume proper nutrient absorption. Improvement in symptoms and healing can commence within days of adopting a gluten-free diet. However, it’s important not to exclude gluten before testing using Celiac Quick Test, as this could lead to inaccurate (false negative) test results.