What is my life expectancy with celiac disease? | Celiac Disease (2024)

What is my life expectancy with celiac disease? | Celiac Disease (2)

If celiac disease is properly managed, most people diagnosed with celiac disease can have a normal life expectancy. However, if celiac disease is not treated with a diet that is completely free of gluten, then the damage that is caused to the small intestine will continue and it could potentially be life threatening. When celiac disease goes untreated in adults or children, they become malnourished. Liver diseases and cancers of the digestive tract can also occur as a result of long-term unmanaged celiac disease. The most important thing if you suspect you or someone you care for has celiac disease is to get diagnosed so treatment can begin.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an inherited, auto-immune disease affecting the lining of your small intestine. If you have celiac disease, it means that your body cannot process gluten, which is found in any food containing wheat, barley or rye. While symptoms vary from person to person, many patients will complain of gastrointestinal problems. Anemia is also a very common presenting symptom of celiac disease. A life-long gluten free diet is the standard of care for treating celiac disease.

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What is my life expectancy with celiac disease? | Celiac Disease (2024)

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What is my life expectancy with celiac disease? | Celiac Disease? ›

A total of 828 patients (8.3%) died, with few deaths before the age of 40 years, more than half after the age of 60 years, and an average age at death of 68.6 years. Overall, mortality risk was 2-fold increased in patients with celiac disease compared with that in the general Swedish population (Table 1).

How long can I live with celiac disease? ›

Cancer, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disease

It was also highest during the first year after diagnosis with celiac disease but remained statistically significant even after ten years. The researchers emphasized that most people with celiac disease live long and healthy lives.

What is the quality of life for someone with celiac disease? ›

Results: Different factors such as physical changes, psychological effects, interpersonal relationships, emotions and economic difficulties can affect the quality of life of these patients. Observations suggest that, in general, women with CD experience a greater deterioration in their quality of life than men.

How hard is life with celiac disease? ›

Having coeliac disease can be challenging but it's a manageable condition. Stay positive and focus on the huge impact your managed diet can make to your health and the way you feel. The person that's in control of it is you and the better you explain the condition to others, the more support you'll get.

What are the 5 stages of celiac disease? ›

Celiac disease is clinically defined as classic, non-classic, subclinical, potential, and refractory.

Does celiac disease get worse with age? ›

The risk of autoimmune disorders and cancers particularly increase in older celiac patients and is shown to be associated with both the age and the duration of gluten exposure.

Does celiac get progressively worse? ›

Over time, a range of problems may develop as a result of the body's reaction to gluten — from skin rashes and lactose intolerance to infertility, bone weakness and nerve damage. These can often happen even in the absence of digestive symptoms.

Is celiac a disability? ›

Because of these special needs, celiac disease is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This designation is particularly relevant in certain public establishments, like educational institutions, from pre-school to college.

How bad can celiac disease make you feel? ›

Celiac disease can be painful. Some common pain symptoms are: Stomach pain or swelling (bloating) that keeps coming back. Muscle cramps or bone pain.

Is celiac disease progressive? ›

Studies show your chance of developing another autoimmune condition goes up the longer celiac disease goes untreated. Celiac disease itself may also become increasingly slow to respond to treatment. Those who go untreated longer are most at risk of developing refractory disease.

What is the number one symptom of celiac disease? ›

Do You Have Celiac Disease? The most common symptoms in adults include: Abdominal pain. Bloating and gas.

Is celiac disease serious? ›

Untreated celiac disease can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS), and many other conditions, including dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy skin rash), anemia, osteoporosis, infertility and miscarriage, neurological conditions like epilepsy and migraines, ...

What triggers celiac disease later in life? ›

People who develop celiac disease later in life can have eaten gluten for many years without having a negative reaction. Studies suggest that a shift could be caused by the body reaching its breaking point after a lifetime of eating gluten. Stress and other environmental conditions may also be a part of the change.

What is the survival rate for celiac disease? ›

During a median follow-up time of 12.5 years, 6596 (13.2%) patients with celiac disease died, yielding a mortality rate of 9.7 deaths per 1000 person-years, compared with 8.6 deaths per 1000 person-years in controls, an absolute risk difference of 1.2 per 1000 person-years (Table 2).

What happens long-term with celiac disease? ›

Untreated celiac disease can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS), and many other conditions, including dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy skin rash), anemia, osteoporosis, infertility and miscarriage, neurological conditions like epilepsy and migraines, ...

Is celiac disease a permanent disability? ›

It is usually treated with a gluten-free diet. Because the symptoms of celiac disease disappear when there is no exposure to gluten, most people with celiac disease do not qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits.

Is celiac disease a life threatening disease? ›

While celiac disease itself isn't usually life-threatening, it can lead to serious complications and symptoms if it's not managed. Untreated celiac disease also raises your risk for some types of cancer.

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