Actually now that more studies are being done celiac disease is being found world-wide. I personally believe that the indigenous peoples of the Americas have among the highest rates. Considering their high rates of other auto-immune disease, and their cultivation of only non-gluten grains until the european invasion. It is believed that wheat may have been chosen for cultivation based upon its' opiate-like effects, because it isn't one of the most easily cultivated grains. Perhaps the narcotic effect, paired with the lack of food choice made it the "staff of life" in europe. Personally, I consider it the "opiate for the masses."