Introduction: Celiac disease is diagnosed predominantly in women.
Objectives: We investigated the influence of gender on (i) age at diagnosis, (ii) clinical manifestations, and (iii) prevalence of associated disorders.
Methods: Clinical data were abstracted from the medical record of adults with biopsy-proven celiac disease.
Results: The cohort consisted of 385 patients (women, 71%). Women were diagnosed at a younger age (women, 46.1 years; men, 52.6 years; p = 0.001). The prevalence of the following symptoms was higher in women: nausea/vomiting (women, 31%; men, 16%; p = 0.001), constipation (women, 21%; men, 10%; p = 0.007), and malaise/fatigue (women, 43%; men, 33%; p = 0.06). Greasy stools were more prevalent in men (women, 11%; men, 22%; p = 0.006). Autoimmune diseases were observed in 127 (33%) patients with a female to male ratio of 1.6 (women, 37%; men, 23%; p = 0.006). Depression, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia predominated in women.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest clinically relevant gender-related differences in celiac disease. These gender differences should be taken into account when managing adult patients with celiac disease.