Regional Swedish study found that one in seven coeliac patients experienced loss of follow up during childhood

Abstract

Aim: To examine the clinical follow up of paediatric coeliac disease and the rate of loss of follow up during childhood, for which data are scarce. Methods: In a cohort of coeliac children diagnosed in 2013–2018 in Gothenburg, Sweden, we retrospectively explored the follow-up practice of paediatric coeliac disease until June 2021. We used medical records from hospital-based paediatric gastroenterology and general paediatric outpatient clinics, laboratory records, and questionnaires. Loss of follow up was defined no coeliac disease-related follow up or tissue transglutaminase test over the past 2 years of study enrolment. Results: We included 162 children (58% girls) aged 7.8–18.2 years (average 12.7). Most participants (76%) were followed at general paediatric outpatient clinics rather than hospital-based clinics. After 2.3–8.8 (average 5.3) years since diagnosis, 23 patients (14%; 95% confidence interval, 9%–21%) had been lost to follow up. Patients with loss of follow up were more often boys (61% versus 39%, p = 0.08), with a somewhat longer average disease duration of 5.8 versus 5.2 years (p = 0.11). There were no between-group differences in socio-economic characteristics and patient-reported experience measures of coeliac disease care. Conclusion: One in seven coeliac patients may experience loss of follow up during childhood.