The Swedish coeliac disease epidemic with a prevailing twofold higher risk in girls compared to boys may reflect gender specific risk factors

In the mid 1980s the incidence of coeliac disease in Swedish children below 2 years of age increased threefold within a few years, and after a 10-year high incidence period returned equally rapidly to the previous level. Analysing the epidemic with respect to any change in female to male ratio over time, or shift in age at diagnosis, may increase the understanding of coeliac disease aetiology. In a population-based incidence study of childhood coeliac disease, 2151 cases (811 boys/1340 girls) were diagnosed from 1973 to 1997. Incidence rates and relative risks (RRs) were calculated by gender, age at diagnosis and calendar time. Cumulative incidences by age and gender were calculated for different birth cohorts. A twofold higher risk (RR: 1.9,…