Coeliac disease in Croatia Zrinjka Mišak Sanja Kolaček Referral Center for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Children’s Hospital Zagreb, Croatia
The national picture of coeliac disease in Croatia Incidence of clinically recognized CD pts 1:519 (Matek, Kolacek et al, Coll Antropol 1999) Screening: 1:461 (Jungvirth, Kolacek et al, Acta Med Croat 2001) Population Estimation CD pts
- number of patients in general is decresing
The National task Force in Croatia Zrinjka Mišak, Sanja Kolaček – paediatric gastroenterologists, representatives from the Referral Centre for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Ruzica Lah – the president of the National coeliac disease society Dunja Skoko-Poljak - representative from the Ministry of Health Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology
The diagnostic guidelines in Croatia Children <2y of age classic ESPGHAN criteria - 3 biopsies Children >2y of age revised ESPGHAN criteria - 1 biopsy
Training and dissemination in Croatia 4 university centers Serology testing, biopsies, HLA genotyping – easily accesible for everyone, expenses covered by obligatory health insurance Zagreb Osijek Rijeka Split
Coeliac disease societies in Croatia 4 patient societies one National coeliac society (member of AOECS) with 3 subsidiaries three regional Celiac organizations that act autonomously and are not under the umbrella of the National society
CD in Croatia – after the diagnosis After the diagnosis a patient gets written instructions on gluten free diet with some recepies dietetic consult 10 kg of gluten free flour per month free of charges (covered by the health insurance) recommendation to join the patients’ society
CD in Croatia - Problems There is no registry - the exact number of diagnosed pts unknown Several societies - not collaborating well Awarenes of the problem is low
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