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Cause and Risk Factors for Celiac Disease

The cause for celiac disease currently is unknown. People of European descent and those with other autoimmune disorders (e.g., type 1 diabetes, lupus rheumatoid arthritis thyroid disease) are at increased risk for developing celiac disease.

Celiac disease is genetic (hereditary). Immediate family members (e.g., parent, sibling) of a patient with celiac disease are 5–15% more likely to develop the disorder. Because celiac disease can cause co...Read the full article