(ANSA) - ROME, - A serious form of intolerance to gluten, a protein present in some cereals, celiac disease is estimated to affect about 600,000 people in Italy, but still many people do not know their diagnosis.
In our country, about 233,147 people are diagnosed, this means that almost 400,000 patients do not know they are celiac and the pandemic has further slowed down the diagnostic process.
To explain it is the Italian Celiac Association, on the occasion of the world week.
Recognized since 2005 as a 'social disease', celiac disease is the most frequent food intolerance globally and currently to get to the remission of symptoms, the only therapy is the gluten-free diet for life.
And the sooner the diagnosis comes, the better.
"This disease is generally identified with symptoms such as diarrhea and marked weight loss, in reality - observes the president of the Aic, Giuseppe Di Fabio - celiac disease can be characterized by a very variable clinical picture and not only affects the intestine, but can involve everything the organism ", also causing anemia, asthma, amenorrhea, infertility, recurrent abortions, oral ulcers, osteoporosis, joint pain, dermatitis.
To start getting better it is important to have a correct and quick diagnosis.
"Unfortunately the path leading to the diagnosis is still difficult and long, on average it takes six years to receive the diagnosis of celiac disease and the 2020 data confirm a decrease in the annual rate of new celiacs due to the pandemic", explains Caterina Pilo, director general of the Aic.
The lack of information affects patients and the general population, but not infrequently also doctors.
"To arrive at the diagnosis correctly - continues Pilo - it is essential not to eliminate gluten from one's diet before having completed all the tests, including intestinal biopsy. Removing gluten before having finished the tests can distort the results of the diagnosis".
(HANDLE).
