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. 2023 Dec 13;15(24):5100.
doi: 10.3390/nu15245100.

A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Paediatric Coeliac Disease in Catalonia Showed a Downward Trend in Prevalence Compared to the Previous Decade

Beatriz Arau  1   2 , Beatriz Dietl  3 , Emma Sudrià-Lopez  1   2 , Josefa Ribes  4   5   6 , Laura Pareja  4   6   7 , Teresa Marquès  8 , Roger Garcia-Puig  9 , Francisco Pujalte  10 , Albert Martin-Cardona  1   2 , Fernando Fernández-Bañares  1   2 , Meritxell Mariné  2   3 , Carme Farré  8 , Maria Esteve  1   2
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A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Paediatric Coeliac Disease in Catalonia Showed a Downward Trend in Prevalence Compared to the Previous Decade

Beatriz Arau et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

(1) Background: Previous studies showed an increased prevalence and incidence of coeliac disease (CD) over time. The objective is to ascertain whether the CD prevalence in Catalonia (a region of Southern Europe) among children aged 1-5 is as high as previously found in 2004-2009; (2) Methods: From 2013 to 2019, 3659 subjects aged 1-5 years were recruited following the previously used methodology. Factors with a potential impact on CD prevalence were investigated; (3) Results: In 2013-2019, 43/3659 subjects had positive serology, giving a standardised seroprevalence of 12.55/1000 (95% CI: 8.92; 17.40), compared to 23.62 (13.21; 39.40) in 2004-2007. The biopsy-proven crude prevalence was 7.92/1000 (95% CI: 5.50; 11.30), and the crude prevalence based on ESPGHAN criteria was 8.74/1000 (95% CI: 6.20-12.30). In contrast to 2004-2009, we did not find differences in the seroprevalence rates between 1 and 2 years vs. 3 and 4 years of age (age percentage of change -7.0 (-29.5; 22.8) vs. -45.3 (-67.5; -8.0)). Rotavirus vaccination was the most remarkable potential protective factor (48% vs. 9% in 2004-2009; p < 0.0001), but not the time of gluten introduction. (4) Conclusion: The present study did not confirm a worldwide CD prevalence increase and emphasizes the need to perform prevalence studies over time using the same methodology in the same geographical areas.

Keywords: antibiotics; breast feeding; caesarean delivery; coeliac disease (CD); epidemiology; gluten introduction; infections; prevalence; rotavirus vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest relevant to this article to disclose. The sponsors had no role in the design, execution, interpretation, or writing of the study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of cases included in the historical (2004–2007) and current (2013–2019) studies.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Standardised prevalence rates of coeliac disease by age and cross-sectional study period. APC: annual percent change.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Annual percent change (APC) in coeliac disease prevalence rates by hospital and study period. HSJD: Hospital Sant Joan de Déu; HUMT: Hospital Universitari Mútua Terrassa [4].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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