Coeliac Disease in Adults - Clinical Manifestations and Associated Diseases

Overview

Within the framework of a more extensive clinical study the authors investigated on a long-term basis a group of 67 patients with coeliac disease (43 women, 24 men). They evaluated clinical manifestations and subjective symptoms with regard to adherence to a gluten-free diet. A strict gluten-free diet was consumed only by 29% of the patients. This percentage is surprisingly low but with regard to the long course of the disease and the pretentious character of dietetic restrictions, it is conceivable. Clinically significant subjective and objective symptoms were found in a total of 46.3% patients. Associated diseases included arthritis, hepatopathies, thyroiditis, diabetes mellitus and others.

Key words:
coeliac disease - symptomatology - associated diseases