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. 2017 Jan 21;9(1):81.
doi: 10.3390/nu9010081.

Prevalence of Self-Reported Gluten Sensitivity and Adherence to a Gluten-Free Diet in Argentinian Adult Population

Francisco Cabrera-Chávez  1 , Gimena V A Dezar  2 , Anna P Islas-Zamorano  3 , Jesús G Espinoza-Alderete  4 , Marcela J Vergara-Jiménez  5 , Dalia Magaña-Ordorica  6 , Noé Ontiveros  7   8
Affiliations

Prevalence of Self-Reported Gluten Sensitivity and Adherence to a Gluten-Free Diet in Argentinian Adult Population

Francisco Cabrera-Chávez et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background: Previous studies suggest that the prevalence of wheat/gluten sensitivity and adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) are high in Latin population despite a poor diagnosis of celiac disease. However, these prevalence rates still remain unknown in most Latin American countries.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Santa Fe, Argentina.

Results: The estimated self-reported prevalence rates were (95% Confidence Interval [CI]): self-reported gluten sensitivity (SR-GS) 7.61% (6.2-9.2), SR-GS currently following a GFD 1.82% (1.2-2.7), celiac disease 0.58% (0.3-1.2), wheat allergy 0.33% (0.12-0.84), self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity (SR-NCGS) 6.28% (5.1-7.8), SR-NCGS currently following a GFD 0.91% (0.5-1.6), and adherence to a GFD 6.37% (5.1-7.9). SR-GS was more common in women (6.0%; p < 0.001) and associated with irritable bowel syndrome (p < 0.001). Among the GFD followers, 71.4% were doing it for reasons other than health-related benefits and 50.6% without medical/dietitian advice. In the non-SR-GS group, the main motivations for following a GFD were weight control and the perception that a GFD is healthier.

Conclusion: In Argentina, gluten sensitivity is commonly reported and it seems that physicians/gastroenterologists are aware of celiac disease diagnosis. Trustable information about the benefits and potential consequences of following a GFD should be given to the general population.

Keywords: celiac disease; gluten; non-celiac gluten sensitivity; non-celiac wheat sensitivity; prevalence; wheat allergy.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Characteristics of respondents following a GFD. SR: self-reported; SR-NCGS: self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity; Non-SR-GS: non self-reported gluten sensitivity; SR-PD: self-reported physician-diagnosed. (A–C) SR-celiac disease, SR-wheat allergy and SR-NCGS cases either following a GFD or not. Only those cases that reported adherence to a GFD were considered for prevalence rates estimations.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prevalence of adherence to a GFD and avoidance of wheat/gluten-containing foods stratified by age (years). ** p < 0.01.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Recurrent self-reported symptoms in SR-GS cases.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Motivations for following a GFD or avoiding wheat/gluten-containing foods and who instructs the GFD: (A) SR-GS individuals currently following a GFD; and (B) SR-GS individuals currently avoiding wheat/gluten-containing foods. In Figure 4A,B, in addition to the symptoms triggered by gluten intake, 11 and 6 individuals reported other motivations for following a GFD or avoiding wheat/gluten-containing foods, respectively; (C) Non-SR-GS individuals currently following a GFD; and (D) non-SR-GS individuals currently avoiding wheat/gluten-containing foods. In Figure 4C,D, 1 and 12 individuals reported non-recurrent adverse reactions to gluten intake as the motivation for following a GFD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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