[Costs of a basic food basket for celiac patients in Chile].

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease requires a strict gluten free diet for life for proper recovery. This results in higher feeding costs.

AIM

To analyze the cost of basic food basket (BFB) compared to a basket especially designed for celiac patients in Chile and to estimate the increment in food spending that these patients experience.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The cost of a daily BFB was calculated using the National Socioeconomic Characterization Enquiry (CASEN) methodology of the Ministry of Planning and the food prices delivered by the National Institute of Statistics for consumers, adjusted according to consumer prices at june 2007. To calculate the cost of the basket for celiac disease, equivalent foods without gluten were considered. Their daily and monthly values and the percentage difference between them were analyzed, by food groups and type of basket.

RESULTS

The monthly value of BFB and a basket for a celiac is, at June 2007, Ch $ 30.251 and Ch $ 57.250, respectively. This represents an increase in feeding costs for celiac patients of 89%.

CONCLUSIONS

The greater cost of food without gluten represents limitation in the budget of celiac patients.