LONDON, March 2 (UPI) -- British-led medical researchers say they have identified four aspects of immune system disturbances that lead to the development of celiac disease.
The findings led by scientists at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry -- the medical school of the Queen Mary University of London -- brings to nearly 40 the different inherited risk factors that predispose to the disease.
Professor David van Heel said the findings could speed the way towards improved diagnostics and treatments for the autoimmune disease and lead to insights into related conditions such as type 1 diabetes.
"We can now shed light on some of the precise immune disturbances leading to celiac disease," said van Heel, who said the study also shows substantial evidence suggesting a shared risk between the gene associated with celiac disease and many other common chronic immune mediated diseases.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by intolerance to gluten that prevents normal absorption of nutrients. If undetected it can lead to severe health problems including anemia, poor bone health, fatigue and weight loss.
The study appears in the early online edition of the journal Nature Genetics.
