THE DAILY GLUTEN INTAKE IN RELATIVES OF PATIENTS WITH CELIAC-DISEASE COMPARED WITH THAT OF THE GENERAL DUTCH POPULATION

Background: It has been suggested that the amount of gluten intake in populations offers an explanation for differences in the epidemiology of coeliac disease. Investigations into first-degree relatives of coel iac disease patients have often shown that relatives exhibit intermedi ate features of coeliac disease, possibly due to a low gluten intake. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of gluten c onsumption in the general Dutch population for different age and sex g roups and for different product groups, and to investigate the daily g luten intake of first-degree relatives of coeliac disease patients. Me thods: Questionnaires concerning the gluten intake of 55 first-degree relatives of coeliac disease patients were analysed. To determine the gluten intake of the general Dutch population, the results of a mass i nvestigation were used. The amount of gluten in the gluten-rich produc ts was estimated by multiplying the amount of vegetable proteins by 0. 8. Results: The median daily gluten intake of the relatives was 12.9 g (range: 3.8-31.3). The mean daily gluten intake of the study populati on in the Netherlands was 13.1 g. Conclusion: The gluten intake of fir st-degree relatives of coeliac disease patients was the same as that o f the general population. Thus, a low gluten intake apparently does no t explain the aspecific presentation and prevalence of coeliac disease in first-degree relatives of coeliac disease patients.