The Prevalence of the Celiac Disease Among Urban Bedouin Population in Israel

Abstract

BackgroundCeliac disease (CD) is a common, but often under-diagnosed condition with possible serious complications. CD, having a prevalence of about 1% is more common than once thought. Only limited research is available comparing differences between adults and children. A comprehensive Medline search was conducted. No data was found concerning the prevalence of CD among the adult Bedouin population.MethodsThe research is retrospective and descriptive. The objective of our research was to determine the prevalence of the CD within adult and child Bedouin populations in urban Israel. A report of all of diagnosed CD patients extracted from the medical computerized information system (“Clicks”).ResultsIn our sample we found the prevalence was 0.51% in children and 0.12% in adults.ConclusionIn our opinion, one of reasons for the low prevalence level in the Bedouin community might be that typical CD symptoms are less prominent in Bedouin communities than in other communities. But no doubt hypo-diagnosis does exist. We suppose more advanced research about the nature and typical clinical manifestations of CD within the Bedouin population need to be investigated. Medical personnel working within the Bedouin community needs information concerning CD and the characteristics of diagnosis and treatment in the Bedouin community. The Bedouin community itself needs more information concerning CD and the importance of treatment, which could also improve early diagnosis and compliance.

Bedouin Children With Celiac Disease: Less Symptoms but More Severe Histological Features at Presentation

“…Although Bedouins are a unique ethnic group, the HLA DQA1 DQB1 high-risk genotypes associated with CD were found to be similar to those that were observed in northern and southern Europeans (25). Despite the genetic similarity, in our study, the Bedouins presented more with atypical symptoms (anemia, FTT, and fatigue) compared to Jewish children, compatible with a previously published study from Israel (20). These results were unrelated to age at time of diagnosis.…”

“…The prevalence of CD among the urban Bedouin population in southern Israel was reported to be lower both in pediatric and adult populations (0.51 and 0.12%, respectively) compared to other communities, with a prevalence of about 1% (20).…”