Improving the diagnostic approach to celiac disease: Experience from a regional network

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is still underestimated. To close this diagnostic gap, the Health Sicilian Authorities have constituted the "Sicilian Network for CD". Aims: A) To verify the quality of the current diagnostic approach using the data sheet of the Network. B) To evaluate the clinical, serologic and histologic data of new diagnoses in the context of the Network METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the data collection forms of 369 patients with CD from three Centers within the Sicilian Network. All the Centers used a standard data collection form. Results: A non-classical CD presentation was more frequent than the classical one, anemia being the most frequent symptom (50%). An IBS-like presentation was found in one third of the cases. A diagnostic delay of about 9 years following the onset of symptoms was observed. Almost half of the patients had not undergone multiple duodenal biopsies; unrecommended CD serology assays were prescribed in 59.9% of the cases. Conclusions: The regional data sheets allowed an assessment of the diagnostic delay. We recorded a frequent use of unrecommended tests prescribed before referring patients to the regional Centers. Updating the education of physicians regarding CD is necessary to avoid unwarranted health expenditure.