The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are often similar to those of coeliac disease.

Although coeliac disease affects 1 in 100 people in the UK, only 36% of these patients are diagnosed. 1 in 4 people with coeliac disease have previously been treated for IBS. 

NICE guidelines recommend that before a diagnosis of IBS is made, coeliac disease should be excluded first.

Learn more about identifying, diagnosing and managing coeliac disease by completing the RCGP coeliac disease learning module.

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