Celiac disease in the elderly: clinical, serological and histological characteristics, and effect of gluten free diet

Background/objectives. Little information is available on clinical presentation and on response to gluten free diet (GFD) in old patients. The aim of the study was to characterize celiac disease (CD) in older by comparison with younger patients, and to assess the effects GFD. Design. Retrospective retrieval of information prospectively fed to a structured data-base. Setting. CD Clinic, University and Spedali Civili. Brescia, Italy Participants. Two cohorts were identified: older (group A; n=59, age >65 years) and younger patients (group B; n=1166, age 18-64 years), further sub-grouped B1, (n=600, age 18-34 years), B2 (n=440, age 35-49 years) and B3 (n=26, age 50-64 years). Measurements. clinical, serological and histological characteristics of CD patients studied before and during GFD Results. At presentation, prevalence of weight loss (37% Vs 21%, p=0.005) and dyspepsia (22% Vs 12%, p=0.04) were more frequent in older than younger patients. Incidence at diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) was much higher in older (5%) than younger patients (0.3%, p=0.003). Prevalence of osteoporosis was 67% Vs 14% and 70% Vs 9% (p