Metabolic effects in patients with celiac disease, patients with nonceliac gluten sensitivity, and asymptomatic controls, after six months of a gluten-free diet.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the metabolic effects of a gluten-free diet over 6 months in patients with celiac disease, nonceliac gluten sensitivity, and asymptomatic controls.
Results Summary
The study found that a gluten-free diet increased obesity and metabolic syndrome in celiac patients by 20%, increased obesity by 5% and hepatic steatosis by 20% in NCGS patients, and decreased obesity by 10% in asymptomatic controls without affecting other metabolic syndrome components.
Population
66 subjects (22 celiac disease, 22 nonceliac gluten sensitivity, 22 asymptomatic controls).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
6 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
gluten-free diet (GFD) | increase | obesity | patients with celiac disease (CD) | 20% | increased | #1 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | increase | metabolic syndrome | patients with celiac disease (CD) | 20% | increased | #2 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | increase | obesity | patients with nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) | 5% | increased | #3 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | increase | hepatic steatosis | patients with nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) | 20% | presented with de novo | #4 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | obesity | asymptomatic controls (ACs) | 10% | decreased | #5 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | other components of metabolic syndrome | asymptomatic controls (ACs) | - | were not affected | #6 |
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: It is essential for patients with celiac disease (CD) to be on a gluten-free diet (GFD) but said diet has also been reported to increase the risk for metabolic syndrome. There is no evidence on the metabolic effects of a GFD in patients with nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or in asymptomatic subjects. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the metabolic effects of a GFD over a 6-month period in patients with CD, patients with NCGS, and in asymptomatic controls (ACs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted that evaluated metabolic syndrome and its components of obesity, high blood pressure, hepatic steatosis, and hyperglycemia at the baseline and at 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 66 subjects (22 CD, 22 NCGS, and 22 AC) were included in the study. At the baseline, 10% of the patients with CD presented with obesity, high blood pressure, hepatic steatosis, and metabolic syndrome. After 6 months, obesity and metabolic syndrome increased by 20% (p=0.125). In the patients with NCGS, obesity increased by 5% after the GFD and 20% of those patients presented with de novo hepatic steatosis. The prevalence of obesity decreased by 10% in the controls after the GFD (30 vs 20%, p=0.5) and none of the other components of metabolic syndrome were affected. CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic benefits and risks of a GFD should be considered when prescribing said diet in the different populations that opt for that type of intervention.