The Celiac Disease Foundation is proud to announce its sponsorship of the April 17th University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease & The Continuum of Care Virtual CME Symposium.

One of the most vexing problems associated with celiac disease, and there are many, is the persistently low rate of diagnosis among symptomatic patients. Although it is estimated that more than 3 million Americans have celiac disease, far fewer than 1 million have been correctly diagnosed. Research conducted on iCureCeliac®, the Celiac Disease Foundation’s patient registry, indicates that a majority of patients see 3 or more healthcare professionals and wait on average 7.6 years before being correctly diagnosed.

Among the many reasons for this appalling delay in diagnosis is that healthcare professionals are not adequately trained in celiac disease in either medical school or during residency. Furthermore, we now know that more than 200+ symptoms are associated with celiac disease (less than half of all celiac disease patients present with gastrointestinal symptoms). 

To address this diagnostic gap, the Celiac Disease Foundation continues to fund efforts to improve celiac disease diagnosis. We are pleased, once again, to sponsor the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center’s annual Celiac Disease & Continuum of Care Symposium. The program offers physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, researchers, healthcare professionals, and patients a detailed primer in the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease. Healthcare professionals who complete the program receive 3.75 CME credits. 

For more information about the Symposium, please visit here.