Institute set up to investigate disorder

The Sheffield Institute of Gluten-Related Disorders brings together some of the world’s leading experts to examine how the diagnosis of coeliac disease could be improved through better recognition of symptoms.

Coeliac disease is caused when the body’s immune system reacts to gluten in wheat, rye and barley. It can cause serious problems and the only known treatment is lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet. One in 100 people are affected but for every patient diagnosed from bowel symptoms, eight remain undiagnosed.

Mike Davidson, 65, of Dronfield, near Chesterfield, only discovered he had the disease in his early 50s. Since then he has been advised by dieticians on what he can eat and his condition has improved.

“Sometimes it can be a bit depressing as you’ve always got to plan ahead. I even have to know which fish and chip shops serve gluten-free batter, so it’s great that this specialist centre in Sheffield has been set up as it will further help raise awareness of the disease,” he said.

Prof Marios Hadjivassiliou, a consultant neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The institute will bring together global expertise so that we can share learning, encourage collaboration and innovation and become a research powerhouse with the aim of improving the diagnosis and care for hundreds of people who may be living with this disease undiagnosed.”

Consultant gastroenterologist Prof Dave Sanders added: “Patients will also be able to benefit from newer tests which may improve the diagnosis of those with symptoms that are not associated with the bowel as well as patients who have so-called ‘non-coeliac gluten sensitivity’, when they have an almost normal small bowel biopsy but still seem to improve with the diet.”