Celiac Disease Causes

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop celiac disease with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing celiac disease. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.

Genetic Factors

Your chances of having celiac disease are greater if the condition runs in your immediate family. It is estimated that close relatives of people with celiac disease have a 5%-10% chance of developing the disease.

Ethnic Background

Celiac disease tends to be more common in people who are of European descent.

Medical Conditions

If you have another autoimmune disorder, you are at greater risk of developing celiac disease. These disorders include:

• Lupus
• Type 1 diabetes
• Autoimmune thyroid disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin condition associated with celiac disease)

References:

American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/ . Accessed March 9, 2006.

American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: http://www.gastro.org . Accessed March 9, 2006.

The Merck Manual of Medical Information,17th ed. Simon and Schuster, Inc.; 2000.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/ . Accessed March 9, 2006.