Celiac disease and the athlete.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Celiac disease diagnoses are rising, increasing awareness among the public and healthcare professionals.
• Team physicians and sports medicine specialists encounter athletes with celiac disease, requiring expertise in its management and diagnosis.
• Celiac disease can manifest with diverse symptoms, necessitating its consideration in the differential diagnosis of prolonged, unexplained illnesses in athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of recognizing celiac disease in athletes.
• To emphasize the need for sports medicine physicians to be familiar with diagnostic procedures for celiac disease.
• To underscore the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach for managing athletes with celiac disease.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on celiac disease in athletes.
• Discussion of diagnostic criteria and laboratory tests for celiac disease.
• Emphasis on the role of a gluten-free diet and nutritional support.

Main Results:

• Celiac disease presents with varied symptoms, often leading to delayed diagnosis in athletes.
• Athletes with celiac disease are prone to malabsorption issues, including iron deficiency anemia and impaired vitamin D and calcium absorption, leading to osteoporosis.
• Maintaining a strict gluten-free diet is crucial for managing celiac disease and preventing performance decline.

Conclusions:

• Sports medicine physicians must include celiac disease in their differential diagnosis for athletes with unexplained illnesses.
• Accurate diagnosis through appropriate laboratory tests and procedures is essential.
• A multidisciplinary approach and vigilant dietary management are key to successful treatment and optimal athletic performance in celiac athletes.