Serum cholesterol profile in children with celiac disease and effect of gluten free diet

various researchers have shown association of celiac disease with altered lipid profile. We studied serum cholesterol levels in patient with celiac disease and effect of gluten free diet on it. This study aims to compare the serum cholesterol levels in celiac disease patient with general population and to study effect of gluten free diet on serum cholesterol in them.

50 children with celiac disease (either newly diagnosed or having poor dietary compliance for gluten free diet) and 50 healthy children were enrolled. Their serum cholesterol levels were collected and compared. After 6 months of strict gluten free diet, serum cholesterol levels for celiac patients were measured and compared with the previous levels.

mean serum cholesterol in patients with celiac disease was significantly lower (16.78%) than the healthy children (p<0.001). Boys with celiac disease had 13.07% and girls with celiac disease had 21.34% lower mean serum cholesterol when compared to their healthy peers. The difference between both sexes was significant. After 6 months of strict gluten free diet, celiac patients showed 22.87% increase in their serum cholesterol. Boys had 15.03% and girls had 24.81% increase in their serum cholesterol. These levels were significantly higher than those measured at the start of therapy and comparable to their healthy peers.

hypocholesterolemia is significantly associated with celiac disease. Gluten free diet significantly increases serum cholesterol levels in the range comparable to healthy population. The serum cholesterol levels were not found to be abnormally high suggesting that gluten free diet should not adversely affect cardiovascular health in long term.