What is coeliac disease and who does it affect?
Coeliac disease is a condition that causes inflammation in the lining of the small intestine (the gut). It affects about 1 in 100 people in the UK. Anyone, at any age, can develop coeliac disease. It is a condition that used to be associated with young children. However, it is now much more common in adults than children. The average age of diagnosis is about 45 years old. About 1 in 4 cases are now first diagnosed in people over the age of 60. There is often a family history. About 1 in 10 close relatives of someone with coeliac disease will also develop it. That is – brother, sister, parent, or child.
