Poland and Celiac Disease EP063

To pierogi or not to pierogi…

If you have celiac disease, there is no question that you should avoid anything made with flour or grains, no matter how delicious the dish may be. Although the Gluten Free RN has fond memories of her Polish grandmothers making traditional pastries, she contends that you don’t have to eat customary Polish food to celebrate your Polish heritage.

In preparation for her upcoming trip to Warsaw in July, Nadine is taking a closer look at celiac disease in Poland. She discusses a 2009 study assessing the prevalence of celiac disease in Polish children, highlighting the asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic nature of the disease and explaining her own false negative test. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s insight around preparing for a trip to Poland, including research on the available gluten-free food and adult beverages!

What’s Discussed:

Why Nadine is concerned about her upcoming trip to Poland

• Flour, grains used in cooking and baking

Nadine’s Polish heritage

• Fond memories of grandmothers making pierogi, pastries

The 2009 study of celiac disease in Poland

• Assessed prevalence in children, only screened for IgA EmA, IgG EmA
• 3,235 children in Bydgoszcz tested, 25 identified (seven with Marsh III)
• Predominantly asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic

Nadine’s genetic predisposition for celiac disease

• HLA-DQ2.5 homozygous

How Nadine is preparing for travel in Poland

• Aware of Polish translations for gluten-free, celiac (bezglutenowe, trzewny)
• Take ‘rescue food’ for emergencies

The prevalence of celiac disease in Poland

• 1:100 (matches worldwide estimate)

The gluten-free alcoholic beverages available in Poland

• Potato vodka, honey mead

Nadine’s caution against eating bread in Europe

• Wheat, grain causes damage regardless of location

The overlap between autoimmune and celiac disease

• CD is grossly unrecognized, underdiagnosed

Nadine’s suggested diet for celiac patients

• Meat, fish and eggs
• Nuts and seeds
• Fruits and vegetables 

Resources:

NIH Consensus Development Conference on Celiac Disease

‘Screening for Celiac Disease in Poland’ in the Medical Science Monitor

Gluten-Free Globetrotter Blog on Poland

Gluten-Free Travel in Poland—Coeliac Youth of Europe

Poland Travel Guide—Coeliac UK

‘Graves’ Disease, Celiac Disease and Liver Function Abnormalities in a Patient—Clinical Manifestation and Diagnostic Difficulties’ in ACTA Biochimica Polonica

‘Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Celiac Disease’ in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment

‘Evaluation of HLA