Table 1.
Comparison of main characteristics of included patients at the time of CD diagnosis with respect to presence or absence of persistent GI symptoms/malabsorption signs.
| N (%) | Patients with Persistent Sign/Symptoms Group 1 n = 37 |
Patients without Persistent Signs/Symptoms Group 2 n = 65 |
p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age at diagnosis, yrs (range) | 41 (18–76) | 38 (18–66) | 0.245 |
| Female gender (%) | 28 (75.7) | 45 (69.2) | 0.648 |
| Median BMI * Kg/m2 (range) | 23.4 (17.5–31.8) | 21.1 (16–30.8) | 0.168 |
| Comorbidities | |||
| Autoimmune | 9 (24.3) | 17 (26.5) | 1 |
| Others # | 8 (18.8) | 13 (20.3) | 1 |
| Family history of CD § | 8 (21.6) | 8 (12.3) | 0.261 |
| ≥5 years of duration of symptoms/signs before CD diagnosis | 13 (39.4) | 10 (18.8) | 0.045 |
| H. pylori infection | 10 (27%) | 17 (26.1%) | 1 |
| Clinical presentation | |||
| Only GI ° symptoms | 8 (21.6) | 15 (23.1) | 0.807 |
| Only malabsorption signs | 5 (13.5) | 5 (7.7) | 0.498 |
| Both symptoms and signs | 24(64.8) | 45 (69.2) | 0.665 |
| GI symptoms | |||
| Total pts with GI symptoms | 32 (86.5) | 54 (83.1) | 0.780 |
| Nausea/vomiting | 11 (29.7) | 17 (26.1) | 0.817 |
| Heartburn | 16 (43.2) | 29 (44.6) | 1 |
| Regurgitation | 7 (18.9) | 14 (21.5) | 0.804 |
| Dysphagia | 7 (18.9) | 7 (10.7) | 0.369 |
| Postprandial fullness/early satiety | 18 (48.6) | 37 (56.9) | 0.535 |
| Abdominal pain | 20 (54) | 39 (60) | 0.677 |
| Abdominal bloating | 23 (62.2) | 48 (73.8) | 0.264 |
| Constipation | 10 (27.1) | 7 (10.8) | 0.051 |
| Diarrhea | 11 (29.7) | 16 (24.6) | 0.643 |
| Diarrhea | |||
| Signs of malabsorption | 29 (78.4) | 49 (75.4) | 0.811 |
| Marsh 3C at diagnosis | 17 (45.9) | 39 (60) | 0.215 |
* BMI = Body mass index; # Others = Metabolic, cardiovascular; § CD = Celiac disease; ° GI = Gastrointestinal.