Punjabis and Coeliac Disease: A Wake-Up Call

Abstract

Punjabis are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world, with at least 124 million members. Their diet is based around wheat cereals and they are now recognised to be at risk of coeliac disease. Indeed, the incidence of coeliac disease amongst Punjabi migrants is three times that of other Europeans, suggesting that in excess of 3 million Punjabi people may be affected by the condition. This review considers the history of coeliac disease and its lack of ready diagnosis in the Punjabi community, including the adverse outcomes as a result. It considers the poor-quality information available to Punjabi patients and tentatively suggests methods of dealing with these issues.