Risk of low bone mineral density and low body mass index in patients with non-celiac wheat-sensitivity: a prospective observation study

Table 1 Clinical characteristics of the NCWS patient group, compared to the control group composed of patients with IBS unrelated to NCWS and of CD patients

Variables	NCWS Patients	IBS Patients	CD Patients	P value
Variables	(Number = 75)	(Number = 65)	(Number = 50)	P value
Sex	12 M, 63 F	10 M, 55 F	8 M, 42 F	n.s.
Age range (median)	20 to 49 years (36 years)	19 to 50 years (35 years)	20 to 50 years (35 years)	n.s.
IBS type
Diarrhea	45 (60%)	36 (55%)	20 ‘typical’
Constipation	7 (9%)	7 (11%)	30 ‘atypical’	n.s.
Alternate bowel movements	23 (31%)	22 (34%)
Symptom duration median (range)	5 years (1 to 30 years)	4 years (0.5 to 20 years)	4 years (0.5 to 10 years)	n.s.
Weight loss	24/75 (29%)	3/65 (4%)	15/50 (30%)	NCGS vs. IBS 0.0003
				CD vs. IBS 0.0001
				CD vs. NCGS n.s.
Anemia (Hb <12 g/dl)	12/75 (16%)	4/65 (6%)	25/50 (50%)	NCGS vs. IBS 0.02
				CD vs. IBS 0.0001
				CD vs. NCGS 0.01
Family history of CD	18/75 (24%)	0/65 (0%)	10/50 (20%)	NCGS vs. IBS 0.0002
				CD vs. IBS 0.001
				CD vs. NCGS n.s.
Coexistent atopy	23/75 (30%)	6/65 (9.5%)	10/50 (20%)	NCGS vs. IBS 0.01
				CD vs. IBS n.s.
				CD vs. NCGS n.s.

Weight loss was considered when the patients reported a loss >10% of body weight during the previous year. Family history of CD indicates a CD diagnosis in a first-degree relative. Atopic diseases were: rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis. CD, celiac disease; F, female; Hb, hemoglobin; IBS, irritable bowel syndrome; M, male; NCGS, non-celiac gluten sensitivity; NCWS, non-celiac wheat sensitivity; n.s., not significant; vs., versus.

ISSN: 1741-7015