EDCEL - Exploiting new Data to examine Celiac disease comorbidity

RESEARCH PROBLEMAbout 1-2% of the Swedish population suffer from celiac disease. My earlier research has mainly focused on severe complications of celiac disease (e.g. death and cancer).

In this project I will use laboratory data and primary care data to study early comorbidity in celiac disease, especially kidney-liver disease and neuro-cognitive/psychiatric disorders, such as stress-related illness, depression and dementia.

DATA AND METHODProject 1: Through Swedish pathology departments, we have identified some 50,000 individuals with celiac disease.

We expect that approx. 12-13,000 of these live in the Stockholm area and can therefore be linked to the laboratory database “SCREAM”.

For these patients, we will identify all kidney and liver blood samples to follow kidney and liver function longitudinally.Project 2: Via a primary care dataset (covering 20 of 21 Swedish regions), we will examine celiac disease and the risk of neuro-cognitive disorders.

WORK PLANProject 1: Using the personal identity number, data on celiac disease are linked to laboratory data in the SCREAM study.

Using linear regression, we will study the development of early kidney and liver disease using laboratory data.Project 2: Data have already been linked. We will use Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios for our outcomes. RELEVANCEAn increased understanding of early comorbidity in celiac disease can improve the care of patients.

In the long term, our goal is to prevent comorbidity in celiac disease.