engleski

Compliance with gluten-free diet in coeliac disease patients

Coeliac disease (CD) is life-long disorder treated with gluten-free diet (GFD). Aim of the study was to investigate long-term influence of GFD in respect to body mass and height, presence of anaemia and other symptoms. Methods. In 71 CD patients (mean age 12 y ; average time after diagnosis 9 y) physical and psychological testing, hemoglobin and red blood cell count were performed. For statistics Chi square-test and Mann-Whitney test were used. Results. 42 patients (59%) were on a strict GFD, 19 (27%) were taking small amounts of gluten while 10 (14%) were not on a diet. Patients on strict GFD were the tallest and had the heaviest although not significantly, but had significantly higher MCH (p<0.05). Groups did not differ significantly in frequency of physical or psychological symptoms. Delayed puberty was recorded pnly in patients not on GFD (p<0.05). Conclusion. CD patients who take gluten have significantly lower red blood cell indexes but do not have more physical and psychological symptoms. Without having major symptoms they are likely to abandon gluten-free diet and thus increase the risk for complications of CD.

coeliac disease; gluten-free diet; children

nije evidentirano