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. 2016 Nov 8;8(11):714.
doi: 10.3390/nu8110714.

Prevalence and Characterization of Self-Reported Gluten Sensitivity in The Netherlands

Tom van Gils  1 , Petula Nijeboer  2 , Catharina E IJssennagger  3 , David S Sanders  4 , Chris J J Mulder  5 , Gerd Bouma  6
Affiliations

Prevalence and Characterization of Self-Reported Gluten Sensitivity in The Netherlands

Tom van Gils et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background: A growing number of individuals reports symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing food in the absence of celiac disease. Yet the actual prevalence is not well established.

Methods: Between April 2015 and March 2016, unselected adults visiting marketplaces, dental practices and a university in The Netherlands were asked to complete a modified validated questionnaire for self-reported gluten sensitivity (srGS).

Results: Among the 785 adults enquired, two had celiac disease. Forty-nine (6.2%) reported symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing food. These individuals were younger, predominantly female and lived more frequently in urban regions compared with the other respondents. Symptoms reported included bloating (74%), abdominal discomfort (49%) and flatulence (47%). A total of 23 (47%) srGS individuals reported having had tried a gluten-free or gluten-restricted diet. Abdominal discomfort related to fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyol (FODMAP)-containing food was more often reported in srGS individuals compared with the other respondents (73.5% vs. 21.7%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Self-reported GS is common in The Netherlands, especially in younger individuals, females and urban regions, although the prevalence was lower than in a comparable recent UK study. It cannot be excluded that FODMAPs are in part responsible for these symptoms.

Keywords: FODMAPs; celiac disease; gluten; irritable bowel syndrome; non-celiac gluten sensitivity; non-celiac wheat sensitivity.

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Conflict of interest statement

D.S.S. has received educational grants for investigator-conceived and -led studies on both Coeliac Disease and Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity from Schaer.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sites where participants were recruited in The Netherlands. Orange: dental practice. Blue: market. Green: university. Circled: Randstad (considered as urban region).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms in self-reported gluten sensitivity (n = 49).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Frequency (a); time of onset (b) and duration (c) of srGS symptoms.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Frequency (a); time of onset (b) and duration (c) of srGS symptoms.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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