Point of Care Testing (PoCT) in coeliac disease refers to the finger prick test kits that are now available.
PoCT for coeliac antibodies provides a means of rapidly assessing the presence or absence of coeliac antibodies
PoCT is accurate but inferior to laboratory based testing
A positive test does not confirm a diagnosis of coeliac disease
A positive test should be followed up with laboratory based coeliac antibody testing and does not replace the need for a confirmatory diagnosis with small bowel biopsies obtained at the time of gastroscopy (endoscopy)
A negative test does not exclude coeliac disease and if symptoms and/or other features are strongly suggestive of coeliac disease, serological testing and specialist advice should be obtained
The administration and interpretation of PoCT should be by trained practitioners
The administration of PoCT testing by community clinics, general practitioners and pharmacies has not been studied
PoCT for coeliac disease does not evaluate the many other diseases that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. If symptoms are an ongoing concern then specialist advice should be sought.
