New test could detect coeliac disease in minutes

Brisbane researchers are trialling an innovative test which could detect coeliac disease within 10 minutes.

The quick pin-prick method is currently being researched at the city’s Wesley Hospital and could lead to a simpler, faster diagnosis - an important step in preventing further complications from the auto-immune disease which is triggered by gluten.

“(Coeliac suffers) can have issues with things such as infertility and osteoporosis, and longer term it can lead to nastier conditions,” Dr James Daveson from the hospital told 9NEWS.

“It's very advantageous for children, particularly who may not like turning up for blood tests.”

He said about 1.4 percent of the national population has the disease, but it continues to be under-diagnosed.

“Mums, dads, brothers, sisters and kids of people with known coeliac disease have around a 10 percent chance of having coeliac disease themselves,” he said.

Anyone over the age of two can now be tested at the Wesley Medical Research centre in Brisbane. You must have a direct family member who's already been diagnosed with the disease.

If you are a first-degree relative of someone with coeliac disease then please contact the research team on 07 3721 1769 or email: gut@wesleyresearch.com.au

Watch the full news bulletin on 9Now