Investigation of serum iron, vitamin B12 levels, diet quality and emotional appetite in celiac patients

This study was planned to evaluate serum iron and vitamin B12 levels, diet quality, and emotional appetite status in celiac patients. The study was conducted with a total of 60 individuals, 30 patients diagnosed with celiac disease (HG) and 30 volunteers without celiac disease (KG), aged between 19 and 55, who applied to Eskişehir City Hospital Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic between February and August 2022. A descriptive questionnaire form was applied via face-to-face interview method in order to determine the general information, lifestyle, and nutritional habits of the individuals. Anthropometric measurements were taken by the researcher. A 24-hour dietary recall consumption record was applied to determine daily energy and nutrient intakes. Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) was used to assess diet quality, and the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EQQ) was used to determine emotional appetite status. The mean age of individuals in HG was 34.80±11.85 years and in KG was 34.60±8.47 years. The mean BMI was 23.73±4.77 kg/m2 in HG and 26.49±6.18 kg/m2 in KG. It was found that daily dietary vitamin D, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium intake in HG was significant compared to KG (p<0.05). Daily fiber intake of individuals in HG was 11.89±4.01; in KG it was 15.02±5.99 g. (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between HG and KG in terms of SYI scores (p>0.05). It was determined that individuals with low diet quality had lower serum vitamin B12 levels. It was found that 36.7% of individuals with HG had low diet quality and 63.3% had diet quality that needed improvement. No relationship was found between emotional appetite status of individuals with CD and serum iron and vitamin B12 levels (p>0.05). It was found that positive emotional appetite score in HG was significantly lower than in CG (p<0.05). It was determined that individuals with low diet quality in HG had lower serum vitamin B12 levels (p<0.05). In this study, it was observed that individuals with CD could not meet sufficient energy, macro and micronutrient requirements and did not have good diet quality. Considering the general health status of individuals with CD, adequate and balanced nutrition should be provided and diet quality should be improved. Individuals should be made aware of the disease and detailed nutrition education should be provided in order to prevent nutrient deficiencies.