Subtle Laboratory and Clinical Precursors of Celiac Disease in Young Adults: A Large-Scale Retrospective Cohort Study
By
Ramon Cohen
Shay Nemet
Alena Kirzhner
Tal Schiller
Haitham Abu Khadija
Shira Bezalel-Rosenberg
Ilan Asher
Ali Abdallah
Keren Mahlab-Guri
Daniel Elbirt
January 23, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Early Laboratory and Clinical Indicators of Celiac Disease in Young Adults: A Comprehensive Retrospective Cohort Analysis
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Celiac Disease (CD) Key Mechanisms Autoimmune enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically susceptible individuals, leading to villous atrophy and malabsorption. Target Population Young adults aged 18-40 years. Care Setting Primary care clinics and specialized outpatient clinics.
Key Highlights
Celiac disease affects approximately 1% of the global population, with higher prevalence due to underdiagnosis. Young adults often present with non-classical symptoms such as fatigue, anemia, and depression, leading to diagnostic delays. Mean time to diagnosis in adults can extend up to 90 months compared to shorter delays in pediatric populations. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Confirm CD diagnosis with ICD-9 code (579) and positive serology (anti-gliadin or anti-tissue transglutaminase). Management
Withdrawal of gluten from the diet improves symptoms in patients with CD. Monitoring & Follow-up
Regular follow-up for symptom resolution and nutritional status post-diagnosis. Risks
Untreated CD can lead to malnutrition, osteoporosis, infertility, neuropsychiatric disorders, and increased malignancy risk. Patient & Prescribing Data
Young adults aged 18-40 years with suspected celiac disease.
Early recognition and dietary management are crucial to mitigate long-term health risks.
Clinical Best Practices
Focus on age-specific clinical patterns to improve early recognition of CD. Consider non-classical symptoms in young adults for timely testing and diagnosis. References
