Objective:
The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of gluten-related disorders (GRD) and adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) in the adult Saudi population.
Methods:
It was an online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. A nonprobability convenient sampling method was used to select 500 participants. The chi-square, t-test, and principal component factor analysis were used to study the significance of the relationships.
Results:
The occurrence of symptoms suggesting gluten sensitivity (GS) was 35.8%. The participants who self-reported physician-diagnosed gluten sensitivity (SR-PD-GS) were 7.2%. The symptoms after ingesting gluten/wheat were mainly gastrointestinal tract (GIT) manifestations and fatigue. Physician-diagnosed wheat allergy (PD-WA) was reported by 3.4% participants. PD-GS was reported to be in 1.8% participants. Physician-diagnosed coeliac disease (PD-CD) was reported by 0.4% participants, while physician-diagnosed dermatitis herpetiformis (PD-DH) was reported by 2.2% participants. Factor analysis revealed that the variables PD-GS (b=0.406) and SR-GS (0.449) were significantly associated with a family history of GS (b=0.361) or with CD (b=0.363), and with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, and GIT cancer. Increased stress, anxiety, and depression were substantially associated with a gluten-free diet. Almost 4% participants kept a GFD at home without instructions.
Conclusion:
The implementation of programs to increase awareness about GRDs among the general population and the benefits of following a GFD are desirable in Saudi Arabia. The results also add to the evidence highlighting the under-diagnosis of GRDs and the trend for following a GFD in Saudi Arabia.
Key words: Gluten sensitivity, Gluten-free diet, self-reported, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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