Comparison of clinical and demographic characteristics between patients with persistent VA and mucosal healing on follow-up duodenal biopsy
| Patients with persistent VA (n=157) | Patients with mucosal healing (n=537) | P value* | |
| Age at diagnosis (years, mean±SD) | 47±17 | 43±15 | <0.01 |
| Gender, F | 103 (65.6%) | 388 (72.3%) | 0.11 |
| Classical pattern of CD | 88 (56.1%) | 263 (49.0%) | 0.12 |
| Clinical response to GFD | 63 (40.1%) | 394 (73.4%) | <0.001 |
| Good GFD adherence | 60 (38.2%) | 520 (96.8%) | <0.001 |
| Family history of CD | 17 (10.9%) | 74 (13.9%) | 0.42 |
| Associated autoimmune diseases | 34 (21.7%) | 133 (24.8%) | 0.46 |
| Seronegative CD† | 20 (12.7%) | 54 (10.1%) | 0.38 |
| Months on a GFD at follow-up duodenal biopsy (median, IQR) | 30 (14–60) | 32 (16–63) | 0.32 |
*P<0.05 for statistical significance.
†Includes both patients with true seronegative CD and patients with CD associated with total IgA deficiency.
CD, coeliac disease; F, female; GFD, gluten-free diet; IQR, Interquartile range; SD, Standard Deviation; VA, villous atrophy.