title: Bone mass in women with celiac disease: role of exercise and gluten-free diet.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Celiac patients report fatigue and reduced social activities, which may decrease physical activity. This study investigated the physical activity, fatigue and bone mineral density in celiac women at diagnosis and during diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first group (n=48) had the bone mineral density measured at diagnosis and after 2 years of a gluten-free diet; in the second group (n=47) bone mineral density was measured at diagnosis and after 5 years of a gluten-free diet. Both groups completed a physical activity questionnaire and visual analogue scale for the perception of fatigue at diagnosis and follow-up. Data about smoking habits, alcohol use, presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, drug therapy and body mass index were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At diagnosis, the two groups were similar for all considered variables. At follow-up, the mean body mass index and physical activity questionnaire's score were similar to baseline. The bone density increased in both groups, whilst the physical activity questionnaire and visual analogue scale remained unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The improvement in bone density following a gluten-free diet was significant after 2 years; physical activity is frequently low and plays a minor role in determining the changes in bone mineral density.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Federico II of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Passananti
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santonicola
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andreozzi
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranaudo
authors.forename: Daniel V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Di Giacomo
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ciacci
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D