BACKGROUND:According to investigations from the central region of Sweden (Linköping), Norway, and Finland based on antibody screening, the prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) is around 1:300 (0.33%). In Denmark surveys in paediatric departments have shown a prevalence of only 1:10,000. The aim of the present study was to study the prevalence of CD in southern Sweden.

METHODS:From October 1996 to February 1997, 1970 healthy blood donors were screened for CD in a serial procedure: first IgA and IgG gliadin antibodies (GA) and then endomysial antibodies in those positive for GA.

RESULTS:One patient had previously known CD. Two patients had gastrointestinal symptoms and an increased number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, with improvement on a gluten-free diet. Three of 185 GA-positive blood donors had endomysial antibodies and biopsy-verified CD. Thus, 4 of 1970 blood donors had classic CD, resulting in a prevalence of 1:492 (0.20%)--that is, rather similar to that found in Linköping, Sweden, and in Finland and Norway. If the two persons with gluten-sensitive diarrhoea were also included, the prevalence was 6:1970 = 1:328, or 0.30%.

CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of classic CD (1:492) in southern Sweden is comparable to that found in the rest of Scandinavia, except for Denmark.