Metabolic Syndrome in Celiac Disease: What Does Following a One-Year Gluten-Free Diet Bring?

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a set of conditions that occur together and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have linked a gluten-free diet (GFD) to obesity and MetS in some populations. However, others have suggested that weight gain is usually regulated only in underweight individuals with celiac disease (CD). Owing to the lack of sufficient data and the importance of GFD in controlling cardiovascular disease, we surveyed the prevalence of MetS and its components before and after a year of GFD in patients referred to the main celiac clinic in southern Iran. Methods: This was a repeated cross-sectional study conducted on 69 patients with a definite diagnosis of cardiovascular disease who were on follow-up and registered at the Shiraz Celiac Clinic. Demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory measurements at the time of diagnosis and one year after the GFD were extracted from their medical records. Results: The participants’ mean age was 35.53, and 68.1% were women. The prevalence of MetS increased from 5.8% to 11.6% after a year of the GFD; however, this increase was not statistically significant. Waist circumference (WC) and serum triglyceride levels were significantly elevated during the study period. Conclusion: A GFD may contribute to the development of MetS in patients with cardiovascular disease; however, the rate of MetS is still lower than that in the general population. It is critical to educate patients about these potential risks and encourage them to have a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and physical activity.