title: Prevalence of Self-Reported Gluten Sensitivity and Adherence to a Gluten-Free Diet in Argentinian Adult Population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies suggest that the prevalence of wheat/gluten sensitivity and adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) are high in Latin population despite a poor diagnosis of celiac disease. However, these prevalence rates still remain unknown in most Latin American countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Santa Fe, Argentina.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The estimated self-reported prevalence rates were (95% Confidence Interval [CI]): self-reported gluten sensitivity (SR-GS) 7.61% (6.2-9.2), SR-GS currently following a GFD 1.82% (1.2-2.7), celiac disease 0.58% (0.3-1.2), wheat allergy 0.33% (0.12-0.84), self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity (SR-NCGS) 6.28% (5.1-7.8), SR-NCGS currently following a GFD 0.91% (0.5-1.6), and adherence to a GFD 6.37% (5.1-7.9). SR-GS was more common in women (6.0%;p< 0.001) and associated with irritable bowel syndrome (p< 0.001). Among the GFD followers, 71.4% were doing it for reasons other than health-related benefits and 50.6% without medical/dietitian advice. In the non-SR-GS group, the main motivations for following a GFD were weight control and the perception that a GFD is healthier.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Argentina, gluten sensitivity is commonly reported and it seems that physicians/gastroenterologists are aware of celiac disease diagnosis. Trustable information about the benefits and potential consequences of following a GFD should be given to the general population.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Sciences Academic Unit, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80019, Mexico. fcabrera@uas.edu.mx.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cabrera-Chávez
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina. gdezar@unl.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Gimena V A
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Dezar
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Sciences Academic Unit, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80019, Mexico. islasap@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Anna P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Islas-Zamorano
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Sciences Academic Unit, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80019, Mexico. jesus.93106@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jesús G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Espinoza-Alderete
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Sciences Academic Unit, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80019, Mexico. mjvergara@uas.edu.mx.
authors.forename: Marcela J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Vergara-Jiménez
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Sciences Academic Unit, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80019, Mexico. dmagana@uas.edu.mx.
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Magaña-Ordorica
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Sciences Academic Unit, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80019, Mexico. noeontiveros@gmail.com.|Regional Program for PhD in Biotechnology, FCQB, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa 80019, Mexico. noeontiveros@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Noé
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ontiveros
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D000068959:Body Weight Maintenance; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012648:Self Care; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D021182:Wheat Hypersensitivity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: celiac disease; gluten; non-celiac gluten sensitivity; non-celiac wheat sensitivity; prevalence; wheat allergy