To the Editor: The recent introduction of rapid point-of-care testing (PoCT) in Australian pharmacies to screen for coeliac disease has attracted controversy1 and provides an important opportunity to review the current literature.
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- 1. Corderoy A. Doctors warn chemists' coeliac disease test could put patients at risk of false diagnosis. Sydney Morning Herald 2014; 1 Oct. http://www.smh.com.au/national/doctors-warn-chemists-coeliac-disease-test-could-put-patients-at-risk-of-false-diagnosis-20141001-10nzpz.html (accessed Apr 2015).
- 2. Augurix. SimtomaX [product information sheet]. http://www.augurix.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Augurix-sheet-Simtomax.pdf (accessed Oct 2014).
- 3. Newnham E; Coeliac Australia Medical Advisory Committee. Position statement on: point of care testing for coeliac antibodies. Sydney: Coeliac Australia, 2014. http://www.coeliac.org.au/uploads/65701/ufiles/Position_Statements/PoCTMACFull.pdf (accessed Oct 2014).
- 4. Benkebil F, Combescure C, Anghel SI, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of a new point-of-care screening assay for celiac disease. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19: 5111–5117. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i31.5111.
- 5. Mooney PD, Kurien M, Evans KE, et al. Point-of-care testing for celiac disease has a low sensitivity in endoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc 2014; 80: 456-462. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2014.02.009.
- 6. Ludvigsson JF, Bai JC, Biagi F, et al. Diagnosis and management of adult coeliac disease: guidelines from the British Society of Gastroenterology. Gut 2014; 63: 1210-1228. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306578.
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Jason Tye-Din holds patents pertaining to the use of gluten peptides in therapeutics, diagnostics and non-toxic gluten for coeliac disease. He is a consultant to ImmusanT and a shareholder of Nexpep.