Hi All,
Okay, you have to consider that this research project was done entirely by employees of Prometheus Laboratories, so it's not exactly an independent research project, (Prometheus is in the business of genetic testing, IOW), but the results are still interesting.
Also, this project was not based on a sampling of the general population, but rather 10,191 subjects who were at risk for celiac disease, either because they presented with clinical symptoms, or a family member was affected, or they had another condition associated with celiac disease, (IOW, the researchers probably just selected a cohort from tests that they had previously done). 42.03% of the total samples, did not have a celiac gene.
Note that they defined the existence of celiac disease as a positive result in a test for anti-endomysial immunoglobulin A, (EMA+). (IOW, apparently, no followup endoscopy was performed to verify the presence of villus atrophy). There is some question, of course, about whether this practice, (of omitting the biopsy analysis), might result in a small percentage of false positive results. Obviously, this procedure also misses a certain percentage of celiac cases, since the blood test has a reputation for false negative results. Omitting the endoscopy exams, though, obviously made the project a lot simpler to carry out. With all those limitations in mind, here are the results, (in plain language):
For those with two copies of the DQ2 gene, 28.28% tested EMA+, (anti-endomysial immunoglobulin A positive). IOW, according to the research data, if someone has two copies of the DQ2 gene, then their chances of actually developing celiac disease are 28.28%
For those with one copy of the DQ2 gene, 9.09% tested EMA+
For those with two copies of the DQ8 gene, 8.42% tested EMA+
For those with one copy of the DQ8 gene, 2.11% tested EMA+
For those with one copy of each, (IOW, one DQ2, and one DQ9 gene, 11.78% tested EMA+
Note that of the samples with no celiac genes, 0.16% were EMA+, thus proving the existence of gluten sensitivity, without the presence of one of the so-called celiac genes.
http://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542 ... 0/abstract
So now, if you have a celiac gene, you can easily see what your odds of actually developing the disease might be, simply by looking at these results.
I find it rather interesting that having homozygotes, (two copies of the same gene), resulted in tripling of the odds, in the case of DQ2 genes, and quadrupling of the odds, in the case of DQ8 genes; while having a heterogygous combination of one copy of each, (one DQ2 and one DQ8 gene), only resulted in a risk that reflected they simple sum of the two individual percentages, (9.09% + 2.11% is pretty close to the 11.78% risk that their statistics showed). IOW, there's a synergetic effect with homozygous combinations, but no synergetic effect exists for a heterozygous combination.
I've seen other research that concluded that having two copies of the most common celiac gene, (DQ2), meant that a subject had 5 times the chances of developing celiac disease, as someone with one copy. (Reference cited below). The Prometheus research project, however, indicates that two copies of the gene, results in slightly over 3 times the risk of actually developing the disease.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articl ... id=2175211
Tex
Interesting Research Results On Celiac Genetic Probabilities
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Interesting Research Results On Celiac Genetic Probabilities
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Maude,
If you have MC, you probably have other food intolerances besides gluten. Almost everyone who is gluten-sensitive, is also sensitive to the casein in dairy products, and about half of us are sensitive to soy. Some are sensitive to other foods.
Having tests done at Enterolab, certainly eliminates the questions about whether or not you have certain food intolerances, but unfortunately, many insurance companies will not pay for those tests. Some companies will pay for them, if the tests are ordered by your doctor. It depends on your insurance company.
Tex
If you have MC, you probably have other food intolerances besides gluten. Almost everyone who is gluten-sensitive, is also sensitive to the casein in dairy products, and about half of us are sensitive to soy. Some are sensitive to other foods.
Having tests done at Enterolab, certainly eliminates the questions about whether or not you have certain food intolerances, but unfortunately, many insurance companies will not pay for those tests. Some companies will pay for them, if the tests are ordered by your doctor. It depends on your insurance company.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.