Dieta isenta de glúten e caseína no transtorno do espectro autista: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

Introduction: The gluten-free and casein-free diet is a common practice in Autism Spectrum Disorder, but without consensus regarding their clinical or cognitive benefit. Objective: To review systematically the literature assessing gluten- and/or casein-free diet for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Materials and Methods: Systematic review of the literature analyzing original studies available until December 2016 in the databases: PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and BDENF. The terms used for the search were autism, autism spectrum, autism and gluten-free, autism and casein-free diet. To better target the data search, the study used the PICO method (population, intervention, comparison, and outcome). Results: In total, 22 articles were included, of which 13 were randomized clinical trials, four case studies, four cross-sectional studies, and one cohort. Of the total, 15 found a positive intervention association for the results evaluated and seven found no significant association. Discussion: This work found much variability in sample size, age, intervention time, blinding, control, or more precise dietary analysis. Conclusions: No scientific evidence supports using a gluten-free and casein-free diet in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder. There is a need for further, well-delineated studies, especially well-controlled, blinded randomized clinical trials with sample calculations that allow appropriate observation power for greater security in this practice. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]