The unbearable cost of being gluten-free: rethinking celiac disease screening
Abstract
The recent analysis by Gianolio and colleagues provides a crucial economic and organizational assessment of Italy's emerging pediatric screening program for celiac disease (CD) [1]. While their model assumed screening at ages 2, 6, and 10, revealing significant long-term costs dominated by lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) subsidies; the official Ministerial Decree establishes a different framework with a single screening round at ages 5–6 years [2]. This streamlined approach reduces initial logistical challenges but introduces distinct economic considerations while overlooking the substantial burden of undiagnosed CD in adults.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Celiac Disease Research and Management
Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
Wheat and Barley Genetics and Pathology
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Digestive and Liver Disease
- Volume
- 58
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 429–430
- Publication date
- 2 January 2026
- Language
- EN