Celiac Disease Patients Tend To Be At Higher Risk For Psychological Disorders

Women who are effectively managing celiac disease – mainly by not eating foods containing gluten – still have a higher risk of depression and disordered eating than the general population, a study by Penn State University researchers finds. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes abdominal pain, constipation, decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting when gluten, a protein composite found in wheat and other grains, is consumed. For the study, researchers, surveyed 177 American women over age 18 diagnosed with celiac disease, about their physical and psychological symptoms. They found that even those managing their illness very well reported higher rates of stress, depression and a range of issues related to body dissatisfaction, weight and shape when compared to the general population.