Coeliac disease is a common disease in New Zealand with estimates that it affects up to 1 in 50 people. The condition is caused by a permanent immune or inflammatory reaction to gluten in the lining of the small bowel. Gluten is found in many wheats and other grain-based foods. This reaction results in inflammation and damage to the lining of the small bowel. Food is then not able to be absorbed properly by the small bowel causing a variety of symptoms from irritable bowel, diarrhoea, to fatigue, anaemia, vitamin deficiencies, reduced fertility, and rashes.

The only treatment currently available is to avoid gluten-based foods completely. This means a significant lifestyle change with the loss of being able to enjoy many foods and often gluten free foods are more expensive.

There is exciting new research to look for medications which block this inflammatory response when a person eats foods containing gluten i.e., this means they can then enjoy a normal diet without the often significant symptoms that would otherwise occur.

P3 Research is currently looking for volunteers to participate in study for treatment of Coeliac Disease, running at it’s Palmerston North, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington units.  Please visit our site pages for further details and to register your interest. 

Dr Wayne Hayter
GP & P3 Investigator, Palmerston North