Nutritional assessment of women with celiac disease compared to the general population

Frida van Megen; Maria Fossli; Gry I Skodje; Monica H Carlsen; Lene F Andersen; Marit B Veierød; Knut E A Lundin; Christine Henriksen

doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.01.031

Nutritional assessment of women with celiac disease compared to the general population

Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2023 Apr:54:251-257. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.01.031. Epub 2023 Feb 2.

Authors

Frida van Megen¹, Maria Fossli², Gry I Skodje³, Monica H Carlsen², Lene F Andersen², Marit B Veierød⁴, Knut E A Lundin⁵, Christine Henriksen²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Services, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: f.van.megen@medisin.uio.no.
² Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
³ Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Healthy Life Centre, Municipality of Nes, 2150 Årnes, Norway.
⁴ Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
⁵ K.G. Jebsen Coeliac Disease Research Centre, University of Oslo, And Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

PMID: 36963870
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.01.031

Abstract

Background & aims: The nutritional quality of a gluten-free diet is debated because of the elimination of grains that are important sources of nutrients. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to perform a nutritional assessment in treated women with celiac disease and ongoing symptoms, and compare dietary intake with a healthy reference group (Norkost 3).

Methods: Celiac disease patients with biopsy confirmed mucosal healing, but persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, were included from an ongoing clinical trial. Nutritional assessment included anthropometrics, blood samples and dietary intake obtained by two 24 h recalls. Dietary intake in celiac women was compared with dietary intake in healthy women (Norkost 3). Two sample t-test was used for comparison of CeD and Norkost 3 women. Adjustment for age, BMI, education and smoking, by use of multiple linear regression analysis, did not change the results.

Results: In total, 59 women with celiac disease and 925 women that participated in Norkost 3 were included, with a mean age of 45 years in both groups. Women with celiac disease had a higher proportion of energy (E%) from fat (39 vs 34%, P < 0.001) and saturated fat (15 vs 13%, P = 0.01), a lower E% from protein (16 vs 18%, P = 0.01) and a lower intake of dietary fiber (19 vs 22 g, P = 0.002) compared to Norkost 3 women. Women with celiac disease had a lower intake of bread, fruit and milk, and a higher intake of cereals and cheese compared to Norkost 3 women. The average requirement was not met for several micronutrients, but blood analysis revealed few nutritional deficiencies: two women with insufficient vitamin D status and one with insufficient folic acid status.

Conclusion: The women with celiac disease had an unbalanced diet with a higher intake of total- and saturated fatty acids and a lower intake of fiber compared to the general population. These findings emphasizes the need for nutritional follow-up of celiac patients and development of nutrient dense gluten-free products.

Keywords: Celiac disease; Deficiency; Gluten-free; Healthy diet; Nutrition.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Celiac Disease* / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Nutrition Assessment*
Nutritive Value
Vitamins

Substances

Vitamins