Could a Gluten-Free Diet Prevent Hip Fractures in Patients with Celiac Disease?

A recent study suggests that a gluten-free diet may be able to help prevent hip fractures for those with Celiac disease. This autoimmune disorder affects the lining of the small intestine and prevents people from absorbing certain food nutrients. As many may suffer from long-term damage to their intestines, this can also result in hip fractures.

"Our research confirmed that patients had a higher rate of hip fractures when tissue damage persisted over time," study author Dr. Benjamin Lebwohl, of the Celiac Disease Center at the Columbia University Medical Center said, according to WebMD. "Sticking to a gluten-free diet is crucial for minimizing tissue damage and reducing the risk of a serious fracture that could cause other complications."

Researchers looked at the intestinal tissue samples provided by more than 7,100 people residing in Sweden, all of whom tested positive for the health issue between 1969 and 2008. Five years from the start of their diagnosis, they underwent intestinal biopsies. The study found that 43 percent of them had suffered persistent damage to the small intestine.

The results also showed a similar risk of hip fracture during follow-ups. People who had more persistent intestinal damage had a greater long-term risk of hip fractures. Findings demonstrate how a gluten-free diet and follow-up biopsies can be beneficial for those suffering from the issue.

"Physicians have debated whether people with Celiac disease actually benefit from a follow-up biopsy to determine the level of tissue healing taking place," Lebwohl said. "These findings suggest that a follow-up biopsy can be useful for predicting complications down the road."

More information regarding the study can be found via the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.