Overview
- In May 2026 coverage, O Globo, Terra and CartaCapital report that about 80% of Brazilians with celiac disease remain undiagnosed, citing FENACELBRA, with low awareness and missing national prevalence studies linked to the gap.
- The disease is an autoimmune reaction to gluten in wheat, barley and rye that affects about 1% of people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
- Many people show non‑intestinal signs such as persistent anemia, chronic fatigue, headaches, infertility or slow growth in children, which can delay recognition.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on blood tests that detect anti‑transglutaminase IgA antibodies, and stopping gluten before testing can lead to false negatives.
- There is no drug cure, and a strict lifelong gluten‑free diet helps prevent complications such as nutrient deficiencies, osteoporosis and a higher risk of intestinal lymphoma.