1. ¹Department of Genomics, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
2. ²Department of Clinical Genetics, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
3. ³Department of Paediatrics, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
4. ⁴The Nordic School of Public Health, Göteborg, Sweden
5. ⁵Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden

Correspondence: Dr ÅT Naluai, Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Box 413, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden. Tel: +46 31 7863095; Fax: +46 31 786 3232; E-mail: asa@genomics.sahlgrenska.gu.se

Received 18 April 2007; Revised 17 July 2007; Accepted 2 August 2007; Published online 29 August 2007.

Abstract

Recently, a few genes have been reported to be causative in inflammatory diseases. Still, we are waiting for the vast majority to be discovered. New tools for genotyping and statistical analysis have been developed and emphasis has been put on study design. Coeliac disease (CD) is a disorder, where prolamins in dietary wheat gluten and related proteins from rye or barley are not tolerated. It is one of the most common chronic diseases in humans exceeding a population prevalence of 1% . In this article, we will summarise what is currently known about the genetics influencing CD with the emphasis on the non-HLA genetic component. We will discuss some difficulties when searching for susceptibility genes in disorders with complex inheritance patterns.