The Digestive Health Strategic Clinical NetworkTM (DHSCN) is pleased to announce that a new Celiac Disease Primary Care Clinical Pathway has been published. Created by a provincial team of primary care practitioners, GI specialists, dietitians, lab partners, patients, and other key stakeholders, this pathway offers guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected and confirmed Celiac Disease. It also offers resources for both practitioners and their patients.
A companion guide for patients is nearing completion and will be posted soon. This Celiac Disease Patient Pathway is a resource that practitioners will offer their patients to help them understand their condition and explore resources to help them manage their disease.
The Celiac Disease Pathway is one of 11 pathways that the DHSCN has created with our provincial partners. You can explore all these pathways as well as other resources on our webpage (Primary Care Supports | Alberta Health Services)
Past Content
New Primary Care Pathway on Celiac Disease
Celiac disease (CD) is a genetic condition which can manifest at any age. It is an immune-mediated disorder wherein the consumption of gluten-containing foods (wheat, barley, rye, and contaminated oats) causes inflammation of the small bowel. This inflammation leads to small bowel villous atrophy, nutritional deficiencies, and other health issues.
To facilitate timely, evidence-based support care for CD, the AHS Digestive Health Strategic Clinical Network (DHSCN) has developed a new primary care pathway for practitioners and patients in Alberta— the Celiac Disease pathway. Like other pathways developed by the DHSCN, the CD pathway provides information for primary care practitioners about presenting complaints, diagnosis and management of the disease, including when and how to refer to a GI specialist. It also provides a patient pathway that practitioners can offer their patients which contains information on CD and tips and resources that can help them manage their disease. The patient pathway will be available in the coming months.
The practioner pathway is already live and can be accessed through: Primary Care Supports | Alberta Health Services