Question | What do I tell to the patients |
---|---|
General COVID Advice | Actually there is no evidence that celiac disease represents a COVID-19 risk factor. Proven risk factors for COVID-19 remain old age, hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, high body mass index |
What about hyposplenism | Reassure patients that functional hyposplenism does not pose any greater risk |
Refractory celiac disease | Although unknown, patients with refractory celiac disease and/or taking immunosoppressive/chemotherapic agents may present an increased risk for COVID-19; thus, they should pay attention to distancing and shielding |
Telecon clinics | In all cases telemedicine and gastroenterological/nutritional video-consulting can support the patient |
Dietary advice including Mediterranean and gluten-free dietary regimens | Improve the diet, in particular follow a gluten-free Mediterranean diet, increasing the intake of antioxidant micro-nutrients |