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Celiac Disease pp 13–25Cite as

Definition of Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity

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Part of the book series: Clinical Gastroenterology ((CG))

Abstract

As an important component of wheat, rye, and barley, gluten can be found in a large variety of foods consumed throughout the world (breads, pasta, pizza, etc.). However, the introduction of gluten-containing grains in the human diet about 10,000 years ago created the conditions for human diseases related to gluten exposure. These reactions to gluten represent a heterogeneous set of conditions, including celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy, which combined affect about 10 % of the general population. These three conditions represent distinct pathophysiological reactions to gluten ingestion, with differing clinical presentations, serological markers, and long-term treatments. Though current research strives to clarify the boundaries between these entities, their differences can be difficult to distinguish. This chapter provides an overview of the ever-evolving definitions of gluten-related disorders.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Publication is available at: http://www.fda.gov/food/labelingnutrition/FoodAllergensLabeling/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/ucm106187.htm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Massachusetts General Hospital East, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA

    Karen M. Lammers Ph.D. & Brintha Vasagar M.D., M.P.H.

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Massachusetts General Hospital East, Building 114, 16th Street, Mail Stop 114-3503, Charlestown, Boston, MA, 02129-4404, USA

    Alessio Fasano M.D.

Authors
  1. Karen M. Lammers Ph.D.
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  2. Brintha Vasagar M.D., M.P.H.
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  3. Alessio Fasano M.D.
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Correspondence to Alessio Fasano M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA

    S. Devi Rampertab

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Gerard E. Mullin

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Lammers, K.M., Vasagar, B., Fasano, A. (2014). Definition of Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity. In: Rampertab, S., Mullin, G. (eds) Celiac Disease. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8560-5_2

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