Abstract
In Czech population celiac disease is diagnosed infrequently and on the contrary frequently too late. Aim: A structured questionnaire was offered to celiacs followed at different out-patient departmentsˇ(medicine, gastroenterology, dermatology, hemaotlogy, and endocrinology) of one institution (Central Military Hospital Prague) in the years 2000-2010.
The following topics were analyzed: the health care provided to probands before the diagnosis of celiac disease (number and speciality of involved physicians, suggesited diagnosis), methods of celiac disease diagnosis, screening of the first degree relatives, compliance of the gluten-free diet and its limiting factors. Results: 102 (77.3%) out of 132 distributed questionnaires wre evaluated.
The diagnosis of celiac disease remains a late issue. 36.8% of celiacs were diagnosed after after more than 10 years of symptoms. Diarrhea was frequently combined with extraintestinal symptoms. (anemia, decreased body mass, depression, and osteoporosis).
Gluten-free diet is an expensive regimen and its adherence brings various restrictions to celiacs in every-day life. Conclusion: The present state of celiac disease diagnostics and follow-up requires interdisciplinary cooperation and increased interest of health and social institutions including their leading reprersentatives.