Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Is the prevalence of refractory celiac disease on the rise?

Christopher Hammerle, MD, and Sheila Crowe, MD, from the University of Virginia of Charlottesville, gave a presentation of their recent findings on a retrospective analysis of refractory celiac disease at the 75th Annual American College of Gastroenterology meeting in San Antonio. Results of the study, reported in Medpage Today, suggest that an increasing number of celiac patients may no longer be responding to a gluten-free diet. In the study, 17 gluten-free diet nonresponsive (refractive) patients were identified among the celiac patients treated at the University of Virginia Medical Center during the last 10 years. Interestingly, among the 17 refractive patients, 16 were diagnosed within the last 5 years, with 41% diagnosed within the last 6 months. Additionally, 5 had concomitant autoimmune disease and the average time to diagnosis of refractive disease was 4.7 years after the initial diagnosis of celiac disease. For each patient, noncompliance with the gluten-free diet was eliminated as the cause of refractive disease. The findings of this limited single-site study suggest that the incidence of refractory celiac disease is increasing. However, accidental ingestion from contaminated gluten-free grains or other products cannot be entirely ruled out.

Primary source: American College of Gastroenterology
Source reference:
Hammerle C, Crowe S "Natural history and treatment of refractory celiac disease: Experience with 17 patients at a single center" ACG 2010; Abstract 235.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

High Point Gluten Free Support Group Workshop


High Point Gluten Free Support Group Workshop
Presents
Diagnosis to Treatment: Eating Gluten Free

Date: Saturday, November 20, 2010
Place: High Point Country Club

          Time: 11:00 AM vendor displays, optional
 12:00 Gluten Free Meal
               1:00 Presentation by Speaker
                                2:00-3:00 PM vendor displays, optional

Fee for attendance includes meal: $21.00 per person
Menu
Gluten Free Chicken Entrée
Choice of
Fancy Sweet Potatoes or Herbed Corn
Green Beans or Special Squash Medley
Grateful Bread Specialty Bread
Assorted Gluten Free Desserts
Beverage Choices

Registration Form with check needs to be received before 11/13/2010 to be eligible to attend the workshop!!


REGISTRATION FORM
Name:_______________________________
Address:_____________________________
Phone:_______________________________
Email:_______________________________
Address check to Gluten Free Support Group of High Point or GFSGHP
Mail to :  Joel Rosenquist
                2464 Motsinger Farm Lane
                Kernersville, NC 27284

Monday, October 18, 2010

Saturday, October 16, 2010

NC Piedmont Triad GIG Holiday Potluck on Nov. 13, 2010


November 13, Dr. Ivor Hill, MD; Wake Forest School of Medicine, and Kathleen Sigler, RD; Novant Health and Diabetes Center, will speak on the topic, “Pancreas and Celiac Disease.” Dr. Hill keeps abreast of ongoing research on celiac disease. Kathleen Sigler is on the gluten-free diet and speaks from personal experience having celiac disease and diabetes. Both can assist us in knowing how to ask our physician about concerns on the health of our pancreas and the gluten-free diet.

We will meet at 10:30 AM at Hope Moravian Church, 2759 Hope Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127, to set up our Healthy Choice, Delicious, Gluten-Free Holiday Potluck. NCPTGIG will provide ham & turkey. The program will begin at 11 AM. Bring 12 copies of your recipe and place beside your dish. Listing brand names is a big help for someone learning the gluten-free diet.


Please RSVP. Contact: Grace Johnston 



Directions to Hope Moravian Church: 2759 Hope Church Road

From Kernersville/Greensboro: Take I-40 Bypass and exit onto Stratford Road in Winston Salem (158W). Take a right turn at the exit and continue straight on 158.  At the 6th stoplight you will take a left on W. Clemmonsville Road. Just as you turn and cross the railroad tracks take an immediate right turn onto Hope Church Road.  The church is on the left.  From the time you leave the interstate until you get to the church it is approximately 3 miles.

From Mocksville: Take I-40 E to exit 184 Lewisville Clemmons Road. Turn right at the exit and go to the 3rd light and turn left onto US 158E.  Continue on 158 and at the 4th light turn right onto W. Clemmonsville Road.  As you cross the railroad tracks take another immediate right onto Hope Church Road.  It is approximately 5 miles.

From Winston Salem: Take Stratford Road which turns into US 158 W toward Clemmons. You will pass the Sheets gas station on the right as you go out 158. After going under the light at Sheets go to the next light and turn left on W. Clemmonsville Road.  After turning and crossing the railroad tracks, take an immediate right onto Hope Church Road. The church is on the left.


Bonjour Winston Salem!

I'm a recent transplant to Winston Salem after living the last 7 years in New Orleans. I am a semi-retired scientist with a background in pathology and infectious disease who is making the transition to a new career in sustainable agriculture. Since my diagnosis of Celiac Sprue in late 2008, I've been on a quest for some semblance of a normal life, as many of you can probably relate. While the cuisine in NOLA was exceptional, gluten-free options were a challenge. Since moving to this area, I am pleasantly surprised by the abundance of gluten-free products in the local stores, as well as gluten-free friendly restaurants. I hope to share my discoveries and information, as well as those from the local Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) and others, with the readers of Gluten Free Winston Salem. Let's pool our resources to make a difference!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Winston-Salem, NC Bloggers Needed

Live in Winston-Salem, NC?

Live the Gluten Free Lifestyle?

Interested in helping others in your city?

If you have any questions or interest writing about Winston-Salem please email me.