Digestive diseases and sciences
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
Folate deficiency can cause anemia and other health problems; knowing how common it is in people with celiac disease can help guide screening and supplement decisions. The link with coexisting ulcerative colitis may be especially relevant for people with both conditions.
Who Should Pay Attention
Adults with celiac disease, people with both celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (especially ulcerative colitis), gastroenterologists, and clinicians who manage nutrition and supplementation.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This was a cross-sectional analysis of 825 adults with celiac disease seen at a single tertiary center. Folate deficiency was identified by blood testing and compared across groups by age, sex, presentation type, severity of villus atrophy, prior malignancy, and other autoimmune diseases.
All patients were counseled to follow a gluten-free diet, but adherence was not measured. The study suggests persistent folate deficiency in some treated celiac patients could reflect diets low in folate (including some gluten-free diets) or ongoing intestinal inflammation.
The authors note younger patients may use supplements less often, which could partly explain the age difference. The paper recommends further research to inform screening and supplementation strategies and to assess whether grain fortification would help people with celiac disease.
Keep In Mind
This is a single-center, cross-sectional study that measured folate at one timepoint and did not quantify gluten-free diet adherence or supplement use. Associations do not prove cause; further studies are needed to define screening thresholds and the role of fortified grains or routine supplementation.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationDigestive diseases and sciences
AuthorsLotanna Ezenekwe, Gabriella Aponte Camacho, Peter H R Green +1 more
InstitutionColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA.
Study typeJournal article
Indexed viaPubMed
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedAug 25, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
Conflict statement: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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