Abstract:

Objective: Celiac disease is a proximal small bowel disease developing due to persistent intolerance in people who are genetically susceptible to gluten and other gluten-like grain proteins in cereals such as mainly wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Strict adherence to this treatment is important for the prognosis of the disease. Since it is quite costly to follow-up of the disease, there is need to parameters that are easy to apply to reflect diet compliance and antibody level and do not require additional cost. In this study we aimed to determine whether hemogram parameters and albumin level can be used to evaluate the compliance of gluten-free diet in Celiac patients. Methods: Fifty-seven of 133 Celiac patients whose disease was confirmed with anti-tissue transglutaminase-IgA (anti-tTG-IgA) levels were included to the study. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), erythrocyte distribution width (RDW) and albumin levels were compared in the periods when the anti-tTG-IgA levels of the patients were positive and negative. The relationship of these results with gluten-free diet compliance was evaluated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 38.96 (19-66). RDW value, at anti-tTG-IgA positive the period was significantly higher compared to the period when it was negative (p=0.005). PDW (p=0.02) and albumin (p=0.035) values were significantly low. Although the PLR (p=0.074) value was found to be higher, this difference was not statistically significant. There was no difference in NLR (p=0.69) and MPV (p=0.12) values. Conclusion: PDW, RDW, and albumin levels are more cost-effective, and can be used as an auxiliary parameter to evaluate dietary adherence and antibody levels in Celiac patients’ follow-up.

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