Effects of Gluten-Free Diet on Nutritional Status in Celiac Patients

Effects of Gluten-Free Diet on Nutritional Status and Inflammation Parameters in Adult Celiac Patients

This study examined the impact of a gluten-free diet on nutritional status and inflammation markers in adult celiac patients compared to a control group. Twenty-six celiac patients and 26 healthy individuals participated. Interviews, dietary records, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples were collected. After six weeks, celiac patients showed improved adherence to the gluten-free diet and increased quality of life scores. While initial micronutrient intake was lower in celiac patients, it improved over the study period. However, there were no significant changes in inflammation markers.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Celiac Disease
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Adherence to Gluten Free Diet

Detailed Description

This study aimed to examine the effects of a gluten-free diet on the nutritional status, anthropometric measurements, and serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-15 (IL-15) in adult celiac patients, comparing them with a control group. A total of 26 celiac patients aged 18-64 years and 26 healthy individuals as the control group were included. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to determine participants' general characteristics, dietary habits, and physical activity status. Additionally, a retrospective 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire were administered to assess dietary intake. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected during the interviews. Celiac patients received education about the gluten-free diet, and follow-up assessments were conducted six weeks later. At the beginning, 53.8% of celiac patients reported always/mostly adhering to the gluten-free diet, which increased to 100.0% after six weeks. The total quality of life scores significantly increased in celiac patients after six weeks. Initial serum IL-15 levels were similar between celiac and control groups, whereas serum IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in celiac patients compared to the control group.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 52

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Ankara, Turkey, 06100
    • Hacettepe University Nutrition and Dietetics Department

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consisted of 26 individuals diagnosed with celiac disease, comprising 21 females and 5 males, aged between 18 and 64 years. Additionally, a healthy control group of 26 individuals, including 20 females and 6 males, without any known diseases, was included in the study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged between 19 and 64 years old.
• Diagnosis of celiac disease.
• Willingness to participate in the study.
• Ability to adhere to the study protocol, including dietary restrictions and follow-up assessments.
• For the control group, individuals without celiac disease or any other significant health conditions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals following diets other than a gluten-free diet.
• Individuals adhering to a gluten-free diet for reasons other than celiac disease.
• Individuals with gastrointestinal diseases other than celiac disease.
• Individuals who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery.
• Individuals with mental illnesses.
• Cancer patients.
• Individuals positive for hepatitis B surface antigen or anti-hepatitis C virus antibody.
• Individuals using interferon and/or insulin.
• Pregnant or lactating women.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Celiac Disease; Adult patients who were diagnosed with celiac disease were enrolled in the study.	Behavioral: Adherence to Gluten Free Diet; Participants with a diagnosed celiac disease were following a gluten-free diet. Study observed the adherence to the gluten-free diet for 6 weeks.
Healthy Subjects; Healthy subjects with matching demographical characteristics to the celiac group were enrolled in the study.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Serum interferon-gamma level	Serum interferon-gamma level was measured.	6 weeks
Serum interleukin-15 levels	Serum interleukin-15 level was measured.	6 weeks
Body weight	Body weight was measured using body composition analyzer device.	6 weeks
Lean body mass	Lean body mass was measured using body composition analyzer device.	6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Total energy intake	Total energy intake was measured using food records.	6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hacettepe University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Zeynep Goktas, PhD, Hacettepe University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 15, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 15, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): March 15, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 3, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 3, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): May 7, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 7, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 3, 2024
• Last Verified: May 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: inflammation; interleukin-15; celiac disease; interferon-gamma
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Metabolic Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Malabsorption Syndromes; Celiac Disease
• Other Study ID Numbers: GO 18/760

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Due to the ethical reasons participant data will not be shared.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No