In reply: We agree with Ryan that coeliac disease is common in the Australian community, with a prevalence of 1 in 250.1 Furthermore, all individuals positive for antiendomysial antibody who undergo small-bowel biopsy have typical features of coeliac disease.1 Clearly, there is a need to increase awareness relating to coeliac disease and determine appropriate screening strategies for our population.
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- 1 Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, WA.
- 2 Royal Defence Medical College, Gosport, UK.
Correspondence: jolynyk@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
- 1. Hovell CJ, Collett JA, Vautier G, et al. High prevalence of coeliac disease in a population-based study from Western Australia: a case for screening? Med J Aust 2001; 175: 247-250.
- 2. Ryan J. Case 5-2001: unsuspected celiac disease [letter]. N Engl J Med 2001; 344: 1950-1951.
- 3. Navab F. Case 5-2001: unsuspected celiac disease [letter]. N Engl J Med 2001; 344: 1951-1952.
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