ABSTRACT
The basic aetiology of coeliac disease is unknown. Malabsorption is accompanied by characteristic morphological abnormalities in the small intestinal mucosa, which revert to normal when gluten is removed from the diet. Relapse occurs when gluten-containing foods are reintroduced into the diet. The prevalence in the UK is fairly constant at 1 in 2000, with a much higher incidence in Ireland and a much lower incidence outside Europe. Ten per cent of patients have an affected first-degree relative, and there is a high prevalence (> 80%) of HLA groups B8, DR3, and DQw2 and also of DR7 and DR2G in affected patients.
