Patients with celiac disease may have diarrhea despite being on a gluten-free diet. In this controlled, cross-sectional study, supplemental pancreatic enzymes were administered to provide symptomatic benefit in celiac patients with chronic diarrhoea.
259 patients were subdivided into four groups: new celiac disease, celiac disease patients on a gluten-free diet without symptoms, celiac disease patients on a gluten-free diet with chronic diarrhea, and patients with chronic diarrhea without celiac disease. Stool frequency and weight, before and after treatment with pancreatic enzyme supplementation were recorded.
The results of the study were that pancreatic enzymes benefited patients with celiac disease and chronic diarrhea. In this group of patients, pancreatic enzyme supplementation reduced stool frequency and symptoms.
