Management Guidelines

There are a number of guidelines available for the management of patients with coeliac disease.

British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG, 2002) 'Guidelines for the management of patients with coeliac disease'.

Primary Care Society of Gastroenterology (PCSG, 2006) 'The Management of adults with coeliac disease in primary care'. 

CREST (2006) 'Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease in adults'

Coeliac Working group of the British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN, 2006). 'Guideline for the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease in children'.

The BSPGHAN guidelines were derived from the available evidence (including the North American Paediatric guidelines document) after discussion and debate between members of the Managed Clinical Network for Paediatric Gastroenterology. It represents the views of the network members only.

Prescribing gluten-free foods

There are also guidelines available to assist GPs, dieitians, pharmacists and practice nurses in the decision making process when prescribing gluten-free foods. 'Gluten-free foods: a prescribing guide' are approved by the British Dietetic Association (BDA), the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology (PCSG), and Coeliac UK.

Click here for further information on prescriptions.

Following diagnosis of coeliac disease/DH, it is essential that the patient is referred to a dietitian for expert advice on following a gluten-free diet which will be tailored to the individual patient.

Dietitian led clinics are becoming a more popular way of managing patients with coeliac disease.