Mucosal atrophy in celiac disease: extent of involvement, correlation with clinical presentation, and response to treatment

Coeliac disease

Coeliac disease occurs in about 1% of people in most populations. Diagnosis rates are increasing, and this seems to be due to a true rise in incidence rather than increased awareness and detection. Coeliac disease develops in genetically susceptible individuals who, in response to unknown environmental factors, develop an immune response that is subsequently triggered by the ingestion of gluten. The disease has many clinical manifestations, ranging from severe malabsorption to minimally symptomatic or non-symptomatic presentations. Diagnosis requires the presence of duodenal villous atrophy, and most patients have circulating antibodies against tissue transglutaminase; in children, European guidelines allow a diagnosis without a duodenal biopsy provided that strict symptomatic and serological criteria are met. Although a gluten-free diet is an effective treatment in most individuals, a substantial minority develop persistent or recurrent symptoms. Difficulties adhering to a gluten-free diet have led to the development of non-dietary therapies, several of which are undergoing trials in human beings.

Role of esophagogastroduodenoscopy in detecting distal duodenal lesions: A single-center pilot study in Southern China

OBJECTIVE

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a standard instrument for detecting upper gastrointestinal lesions. However, the distal duodenum is often missed. This study aimed to clarify the diagnostic role of EGD in the distal duodenum.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled patients with distal duodenal lesions who underwent EGD between January 2004 and July 2016 at our center. The rate of missed diagnosis using EGD examination was calculated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the missed diagnoses.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients were included in the study. The overall diagnostic rate of distal duodenal lesions on EGD was 58.7%. After excluding the patients in whom the EGD did not reach the distal duodenum, this rate rose to 82.2%. In univariate analysis, intravenous sedation (26.8% vs 68.2%, odds ratio [OR] 0.171, P = 0.002), signs of lesions adjacent to the stomach (19.4% vs 62.5%, OR 0.099, P = 0.001), prior enteroscopy experience (15.0% vs 87.0%, OR 0.026, P < 0.001), and endoscopists with experiences of over 10 years (13.8% vs 64.7%, OR 0.087, P = 0.000) were associated with a decreased risk of missed diagnosis. In multivariate analysis, signs of lesions adjacent to the stomach (OR 0.167, P = 0.039) and prior enteroscopy experience (OR 0.035, P < 0.001) were significant independent protective factors.

CONCLUSION

EGD may be important in diagnosing distal duodenal lesions. Patients with gastric retention, blood in the stomach or erosion in the proximal duodenum may benefit from the deep insertion of EGD.

Coeliac disease and the videocapsule: what have we learned till now

Celiac disease is diagnosed in part by finding areas of pathology in the small bowel (SB) mucosa. This can often be difficult because the pathologic alterations, including atrophy of the small intestinal villi, can often be sparse and subtle. Some of the quantitative methods for detecting and measuring the presence of villous atrophy from videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) images are presented and discussed. These methods consist of static features of measurement including texture, gray level, and presence and abundance of fissures contained within each acquired image. The methods also consist of dynamic measurements including spectral analysis, and determining motion from a sequence of endoscopic images as obtained from a VCE clip. Thus far, several methods have been found useful to characterize the SB mucosa of untreated celiac disease patients versus control patients lacking villous atrophy, which have revealed significant differences in texture, frequency, and motion on analysis of VCE. In untreated celiac patients undergoing endoscopy, there tends to be greater magnitude of changes and spatial differences in textural descriptors, longer periodic components, indicating slower periodic activity, and differences in feature location, suggesting alterations in motility at areas of pathology as compared to patients without villous atrophy. Improvements in the quantitative analysis of VCE imaging in celiac patients is important to detect pathology in suspected patients, so that biopsies can be obtained from pertinent regions of the small intestinal mucosa. Improvements are also necessary so that patients with celiac disease can be monitored to evaluate the progress of mucosal healing after onset of treatment.

At-Risk Screened Children with Celiac Disease are Comparable in Disease Severity and Dietary Adherence to Those Found because of Clinical Suspicion: A Large Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether children at risk for celiac disease should be screened systematically by comparing their baseline and follow-up characteristics to patients detected because of clinical suspicion.

STUDY DESIGN

Five hundred four children with celiac disease were divided into screen-detected (n = 145) and clinically detected cohorts (n = 359). The groups were compared for clinical, serologic, and histologic characteristics and laboratory values. Follow-up data regarding adherence and response to gluten-free diet were compared. Subgroup analyses were made between asymptomatic and symptomatic screen-detected patients.

RESULTS

Of screen-detected patients, 51.8% had symptoms at diagnosis, although these were milder than in clinically detected children (P < .001). Anemia (7.1% vs 22.9%, P < .001) and poor growth (15.7% vs 36.9%, P < .001) were more common, and hemoglobin (126 g/l vs 124 g/l, P = .008) and albumin (41.0 g/l vs 38.0 g/l, P = .016) were lower in clinically detected patients. There were no differences in serology or histology between the groups. Screen-detected children had better dietary adherence (91.2% vs 83.2%, P = .047). The groups showed equal clinical response (97.5% vs 96.2%, P = .766) to the gluten-free diet. In subgroup analysis among screen-detected children, asymptomatic patients were older than symptomatic (9.0  vs 5.8 years of age, P = .007), but the groups were comparable in other variables.

CONCLUSIONS

More than one-half of the screen-detected patients with celiac disease had symptoms unrecognized at diagnosis. The severity of histologic damage, antibody levels, dietary adherence, and response to treatment in screen-detected cases is comparable with those detected on a clinical basis. The results support active screening for celiac disease among at-risk children.

Investigation of Small Bowel Abnormalities in HIV-Infected Patients Using Capsule Endoscopy

HIV infection is reportedly associated with an increased permeability of the intestinal epithelium and can cause HIV enteropathy, which occurs independently of opportunistic infections. However, the characteristics of small bowel abnormalities attributable to HIV infection are rarely investigated. In the present study, we assessed the intestinal mucosal changes found in HIV-infected patients and compared them with the mucosa of healthy control subjects using capsule endoscopy (CE). Three of the 27 HIV-infected patients harbored gastrointestinal opportunistic infections and were thus excluded from subsequent analyses. The endoscopic findings of CE in HIV-infected patients were significantly higher than those in control subjects (55% versus 10%, P = 0.002); however, most lesions, such as red spots or tiny erosions, were unlikely to cause abdominal symptoms. After validating the efficacy of CE for the diagnosis of villous atrophy, we found that the prevalence of villous atrophy was 54% (13/24) among HIV-infected patients. Interestingly, villous atrophy persisted in patients receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy, though most of them exhibited reconstituted peripheral blood CD4+ T cells. Although we could not draw any conclusions regarding the development of small bowel abnormalities in HIV-infected patients, our results may provide some insight regarding the pathogenesis of HIV enteropathy.

Role of capsule endoscopy in suspected celiac disease: A European multi-centre study

AIM

To analyze the diagnostic yield (DY), therapeutic impact (TI) and safety of capsule endoscopy (CE).

METHODS

This is a multi-centre, observational, analytical, retrospective study. A total of 163 patients with suspicion of celiac disease (CD) (mean age = 46.4 ± 17.3 years, 68.1% women) who underwent CE from 2003 to 2015 were included. Patients were divided into four groups: seronegative CD with atrophy (Group-I, n = 19), seropositive CD without atrophy (Group-II, n = 39), contraindication to gastroscopy (Group-III, n = 6), seronegative CD without atrophy, but with a compatible context (Group-IV, n = 99). DY, TI and the safety of CE were analysed.

RESULTS

The overall DY was 54% and the final diagnosis was villous atrophy (n = 65, 39.9%), complicated CD (n = 12, 7.4%) and other enteropathies (n = 11, 6.8%; 8 Crohn's). DY for groups I to IV was 73.7%, 69.2%, 50% and 44.4%, respectively. Atrophy was located in duodenum in 24 cases (36.9%), diffuse in 19 (29.2%), jejunal in 11 (16.9%), and patchy in 10 cases (15.4%). Factors associated with a greater DY were positive serology (68.3% vs 49.2%, P = 0.034) and older age (P = 0.008). On the other hand, neither sex nor clinical presentation, family background, positive histology or HLA status were associated with DY. CE results changed the therapeutic approach in 71.8% of the cases. Atrophy was associated with a greater TI (92.3% vs 45.3%, P < 0.001) and 81.9% of the patients responded to diet. There was one case of capsule retention (0.6%). Agreement between CE findings and subsequent histology was 100% for diagnosing normal/other conditions, 70% for suspected CD and 50% for complicated CD.

CONCLUSION

CE has a high DY in cases of suspicion of CD and it leads to changes in the clinical course of the disease. CE is safe procedure with a high degree of concordance with histology and it helps in the differential diagnosis of CD.

Symptomatic suspected gluten exposure is common among patients with coeliac disease on a gluten-free diet

BACKGROUND

A gluten-free diet is the only recommended treatment for coeliac disease.

AIM

To determine the prevalence and characteristics of reactions to gluten among persons with coeliac disease on a gluten-free diet.

METHODS

Adults with biopsy proven, newly diagnosed coeliac disease were prospectively enrolled. A survey related to diet adherence and reactions to gluten was completed at study entry and 6 months. The Coeliac Symptom Index, Coeliac Diet Assessment Tool (CDAT) and Gluten-Free Eating Assessment Tool (GF-EAT) were used to measure coeliac disease symptoms and gluten-free diet adherence.

RESULTS

Of the 105 participants, 91% reported gluten exposure <1 per month and median CDAT score was 9 (IQR 8-11), consistent with adequate adherence. A suspected symptomatic reaction to gluten was reported by 66%. Gluten consumption was unsuspected until a reaction occurred (63%) or resulted from problems ordering in a restaurant (29%). The amount of gluten consumed ranged from cross-contact (30%) to a major ingredient (10%). Median time to symptom onset was 1 h (range 10 min to 48 h), and median symptom duration was 24 h (range 1 h to 8 days). Common symptoms included abdominal pain (80%), diarrhoea (52%), fatigue (33%), headache (30%) and irritability (29%).

CONCLUSIONS

Reactions to suspected gluten exposure are common among patients with coeliac disease on a gluten-free diet. Eating at restaurants and other peoples' homes remain a risk for unintentional gluten exposure. When following individuals with coeliac disease, clinicians should include questions regarding reactions to gluten as part of their assessment of gluten-free diet adherence.

Novel diagnostic techniques for celiac disease

The diagnosis of celiac disease has long been based on the demonstration of gluten-induced small-bowel mucosal damage. However, due to the constantly increasing disease prevalence and limitations in the histology-based criteria there is a pressure towards more serology-based diagnostics. The serological tools are being improved and new non-invasive methods are being developed, but the constantly refined endoscopic and histologic techniques may still prove helpful. Moreover, growing understanding of the disease pathogenesis has led researchers to suggest completely novel approaches to celiac disease diagnostics regardless of disease activity. In this review, we will elucidate the most recent development and possible future innovations in the diagnostic techniques for celiac disease.

The clinical presentation of coeliac disease in 1030 Swedish children: Changing features over the past four decades

BACKGROUND

The features of paediatric coeliac disease have changed in recent decades. We hypothesised that the age at diagnosis might continue to increase, whereas the severity of symptoms should decrease.

METHODS

In the present study, filed data on 1030 paediatric patients diagnosed with coeliac disease between 1973 and 2013 were analysed. The information available covered 99.8% of small bowel biopsies and included information on sex, age and clinical symptoms.

RESULTS

The age at diagnosis increased significantly, from a mean of 2.2 years during the first 10 years to 8.2 years in recent years. The proportion of children with severe symptoms declined from 92.8% to 78%, as did the proportion of biopsies characterised by severe pathology. In recent years, the monosymptomatic form of coeliac disease has been more common, and the number of patients detected at screening has increased. The frequency of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, extra-intestinal symptoms, and failure to thrive and/or short stature at presentation decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

The mean age of newly diagnosed patients has increased over the last 15 years. Currently, coeliac disease shows a less severe picture in terms of symptoms and intestinal pathology. Younger children suffer primarily from gastrointestinal symptoms and growth failure, and adolescents from extra-intestinal manifestations.

Patients with celiac disease may have normal weight or may even be overweight

BACKGROUND

It is believed that patients with celiac disease (CeD) are likely to be underweight. Data from west suggest that 8% to 40% of them can be overweight or obese. We reviewed data on body mass index (BMI) of our patients with CeD and derived the correlations between BMI and other disease characteristics.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied case records of 210 adolescent and adult patients with CeD at the Celiac Disease Clinic. We classified BMI as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese based on the Consensus Statement for Diagnosis of Obesity, Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome for Asian Indians for those with age >18 years and revised Indian Association of Pediatrics BMI-for-age charts for those between 12 and 18 years.

RESULTS

Of 210 patients, 76 (36.2%) were underweight, 115 (54.8%) were normal weight, 13 (6.2%) were overweight, and 6 (2.9%) were obese. There was no difference in the proportion of underweight between male and female patients with CeD. The mean age of underweight patients was similar to those having normal or overweight. There was no difference in the mean duration of symptoms; frequencies of diarrhea, anorexia, and weakness; anemia; titer of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody; and severity of villous atrophy in those with underweight or normal weight or overweight.

CONCLUSIONS

In our practice, only one third of patients with CeD had low BMI. A diagnosis of CeD should not be excluded if patient has normal or high BMI.

Factors associated with growth disturbance at celiac disease diagnosis in children: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Impaired growth is a well-known complication in celiac disease, but factors associated with it are poorly known. We investigated this issue in a large cohort of children.

Methods

530 children with biopsy-proven celiac disease were included. The participants were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence (n = 182) or absence (n = 348) of growth disturbance at diagnosis. Histological, serological and clinical characteristics were compared between children with growth failure and those with normal growth. Further, patients with growth failure as the sole clinical presentation were compared to those with poor growth and concomitant other symptoms.

Results

Children with growth failure were younger (p < 0.001) and had lower hemoglobin (p = 0.016) and higher celiac antibody (p < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.035) and thyroid-stimulating hormone values (p = 0.013) than those with normal growth. Significantly associated with growth failure at diagnosis were age <3 years (OR 4.3 (95 % CI 2.5-7.5) vs older age), diagnosis before the year 2000 and in 2000–09 (OR 3.1 (1.8-5.4) and OR 1.8 (1.1-2.8) vs diagnosis in 2010–2013), presence of total and subtotal villous atrophy (OR 4.2 (2.5-7.0) and OR 2.0 (1.3-3.2) vs partial atrophy), severe symptoms (OR 3.4 (1.8-6.7) vs mild symptoms) and vomiting (OR 3.1 (1.5-6.3). The presence of abdominal pain reduced the risk (OR 0.5 (0.3-0.7)), while there was no effect of gender, diarrhea, constipation, other chronic diseases and celiac disease in the family. Children evincing poor growth as the sole clinical presentation were older (p < 0.001) and had higher hemoglobin (P < 0.001) and total iron (p = 0.010) values and lower TG2ab values (p = 0.009) than those with growth disturbance and other symptoms.

Conclusions

In particular young age and severe clinical and histological presentation were associated with growth disturbance at celiac disease diagnosis. Children with only poor growth are markedly different from those with other concomitant symptoms, suggesting different pathogenic mechanisms.

Enteroscopic findings of Celiac Disease and their correlation with mucosal histopathologic changes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Single Balloon Enteroscopy enables us to examine the small bowel for various diseases. It provides a view of the intestinal mucosa with biopsy capability, which may be helpful in search of a mucosal disease such as Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is a proximal enteropathy developed in genetically susceptible individuals to wheat protein gluten. Examination of the duodenum and proximal jejunum are mostly diagnostic. We aimed to review enteroscopic findings of the patients with Celiac Disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive adult patients (>18y) who needed intestinal or duodenal biopsy for the diagnosis of the Celiac Disease were included. Single Balloon Enteroscopy system was used to enter the proximal jejunum. All of the patients had biopsies in order to diagnose Celiac Disease.

RESULTS

Single Balloon Enteroscopy was performed in 33 patients. Twenty two (66.7%) subjects were diagnosed as Celiac Disease. The most common endoscopic abnormality in Celiac Disease was mucosal atrophy in 20 patients (90.9%), continuous involvement was the most common presentation (36.4%). All of the patients with Celiac Disease exhibited at least one endoscopic change.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the patchy nature of the disease with mostly diffuse involvement of the small bowel. However, any endoscopic abnormality can be found in every patient with Celiac Disease. Analysis of images from either conventional upper endoscopy or capsule endoscopy may aid the diagnosis.

Prevalence of celiac disease in adult patients with iron-deficiency anemia of obscure origin in Kashmir (India)

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of celiac disease in adult patients with iron-deficiency anemia of obscure origin.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-one consecutive patients with iron-deficiency anemia of obscure origin were evaluated. Tissue transglutaminase antibodies levels were done and duodenal biopsies were scored according to Marsh classification. Diagnosis was based on positive IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies and abnormal histopathology. Gluten-free diet (GFD) was adviced for celiac disease patients. One hundred and sixty healthy blood donors were tested for IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies, and positive controls were subjected to endoscopic duodenal biopsy.

RESULTS

Tissue transglutaminase antibodies were positive in 13 (8 %) patients with iron-deficiency anemia of obscure origin and 4 (2.5 %) in control group (p = 0.026) (odds ratio 3.42; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.092-10.743). All 13 patients (8 %) and 2 out of 4 positive controls (1.25 %) had histopathology findings of celiac disease (p = 0.004). Duodenal biopsy showed Marsh grade 1 in 4, grade 2 in 4 (30.77 %), 3a in 1 (7.70 %), 3b in 2 (15.38 %), and 3c in 2 (15.38 %) patients. A statistically significant correlation was found between lower hemoglobin concentration and higher Marsh grading (Spearman's rho = -0.946, p = 0.001). Celiac disease patients adhered to GFD and after 6 months mean (SD) hemoglobin levels increased from 7.42 ± 0.96 to 10.47 ± 0.80 g/dL (p- < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with iron-deficiency anemia of obscure origin had increased prevalence of celiac disease. Gluten-free diet improved anemia in celiac disease patients irrespective of grade of duodenal involvement.

Suggestions for automatic quantitation of endoscopic image analysis to improve detection of small intestinal pathology in celiac disease patients

Although many groups have attempted to develop an automated computerized method to detect pathology of the small intestinal mucosa caused by celiac disease, the efforts have thus far failed. This is due in part to the occult presence of the disease. When pathological evidence of celiac disease exists in the small bowel it is visually often patchy and subtle. Due to presence of extraneous substances such as air bubbles and opaque fluids, the use of computerized automation methods have only been partially successful in detecting the hallmarks of the disease in the small intestine-villous atrophy, fissuring, and a mottled appearance. By using a variety of computerized techniques and assigning a weight or vote to each technique, it is possible to improve the detection of abnormal regions which are indicative of celiac disease, and of treatment progress in diagnosed patients. Herein a paradigm is suggested for improving the efficacy of automated methods for measuring celiac disease manifestation in the small intestinal mucosa. The suggestions are applicable to both standard and videocapsule endoscopic imaging, since both methods could potentially benefit from computerized quantitation to improve celiac disease diagnosis.

Clinical manifestations of celiac disease

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-based condition affecting multiple organ systems. Clinical manifestations are manifold in form and number due to the multisystem nature of CD. There has been a progressive change in the clinical manifestations over the recent decades with fewer patients, both adults and children, presenting with a diarrheal, classical form. This, in children, is seen in only the youngest, while growth issues, screening at-risk groups and recurrent abdominal pain are the most common modes of presentation among children. Among adults, diarrhea is the most common presentation followed by anemia. Screening at-risk groups, metabolic bone disease and incidental recognition at endoscopy performed for reflux are the other main modes of presentation. The bulk of those with CD remain undiagnosed. The symptoms are often common, and increased medical education should lead to greater awareness in the medical community and an increased rate of diagnosis.

Videocapsule endoscopy in celiac disease: indications and timing

BACKGROUND

Because of its technical characteristics (i.e. 8-fold magnification, capability to inspect the entire small bowel) and minimal invasiveness, videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) has been proposed as a useful tool for managing patients with celiac disease (CD).

KEY MESSAGES

Although VCE has been found to be highly sensitive and specific in identifying CD endoscopic markers, it is still inadequate to replace esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsies in the diagnosis of CD. Nevertheless, it represents a reliable alternative in patients unable or unwilling to undergo EGD. Up to now, available studies have failed to identify any correlation between the length of small bowel involvement and the severity of symptoms. The available evidence on the use of VCE in diagnosing CD in equivocal cases (patients with positive serology and negative or nonspecific histology or those with negative serology and histologically proven villous atrophy) is limited, and its role is still under discussion. In CD patients not improving on gluten-free diet, a complete workup is necessary. In patients with nonresponsive (NRCD) or refractory CD (RCD), VCE has been shown to be able not only to detect significant findings, driving further management, but also to rule out major complications. Nevertheless, in this setting, the inability of VCE to take tissue samples and the risk of capsule retention can represent major limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

At the present time, for diagnostic purposes, VCE can be proposed only in patients unable or unwilling to undergo EGD, whereas it could be useful in some equivocal cases. Conversely, there is no room for VCE either to estimate the length of the small bowel affected by villous atrophy or to follow up patients improving on gluten-free diet. In patients with NRCD or RCD, VCE can play a role, but it should be combined with other diagnostic techniques.

Wireless capsule endoscopy: perspectives beyond gastrointestinal bleeding

Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) is a technology developed for the endoscopic exploration of the small bowel. The first capsule model was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001, and its first and essential indication was occult gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Over subsequent years, this technology has been refined to provide superior resolution, increased battery life, and capabilities to view different parts of the GI tract. Indeed, cases for which CE proved useful have increased significantly over the last few years, with new indications for the small bowel and technical improvements that have expanded its use to other parts of the GI tract, including the esophagus and colon. The main challenges in the development of CE are new devices with the ability to provide therapy, air inflation for a better vision of the small bowel, biopsy sampling systems attached to the capsule and the possibility to guide and move the capsule with an external motion control. In this article we review the current and new indications of CE, and the evolving technological changes shaping this technology, which has a promising potential in the coming future of gastroenterology.

Modern diagnosis of celiac disease and relevant differential diagnoses in the case of cereal intolerance

At an incidence of 1:500, celiac disease (formerly sprue) is an important differential diagnosis in patients with malabsorption, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea and food intolerances. Celiac disease can induce a broad spectrum of both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, e.g. dermatitis herpetiformis (Duhring's disease). A variety of oligo- and asymptomatic courses (e.g. anemia, osteoporosis, depression) through to refractory collagenic celiac disease are seen. In HLA-DQ2 and -8 predisposed individuals, celiac disease is provoked by contact with wheat gliadin fractions through a predominantly Th1 immune response and an accompanying Th2 response, which can eventually lead to villous atrophy. Using appropriate serological tests (IgA antibodies against tissue-transglutaminase, endomysium and deamidated gliadin peptides) under sufficient gluten ingestion, the diagnosis can be made more reliably today than previously. The same IgG-based serological tests should be used in the case of IgA deficiency. Diagnosis can either be made in children and adolescents with anti-transglutaminase titers exceeding ten times the standard for two of the above-mentioned serological markers and HLA conformity or it is made by endoscopy and histological Marsh classification in adults and in cases of inconclusive serology. If clinically tolerated, gluten challenges are indicated in patients that already have reduced gluten intake, in borderline serological results, discordance between serological and histological results or in suspected food allergy. The diagnosis of celiac disease needs to be definitive and robust before establishing a gluten-free diet, since lifelong abstention from gluten (gliadin < 20 mg/kg foodstuffs), cereal products (wheat, rye, barley and spelt) as well as from preparations and beverages containing gluten, is necessary. With effective elimination of gluten, the prognosis regarding complete resolution of small bowel inflammation is good. Refractory courses are seen only in rare cases, accompanied by enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma.

Refractory coeliac disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Concept of refractory coeliac disease (RCD) emerged in the past decade and refers to persistence of malnutrition and intestinal villous atrophy for more than 1 year strict gluten-free diet in coeliac patients. Diagnosis of this condition remains difficult and conditions treatment and follow-up.

RECENT FINDINGS

RCD has been subdivided into two subgroups according to the normal [type I RCD (RCDI)] or abnormal phenotype of intraepithelial lymphocytes [type II RCD (RCDII)]. RCDII is considered as a low-grade intraepithelial lymphoma and has a very poor prognosis, leading to intractable ulcerative jejunitis, gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal dissemination of the abnormal intraepithelial lymphocytes, and to their frequent transformation into a high-grade invasive lymphoma.

SUMMARY

Herein, we review here the distinctive diagnostic features of RCDI and RCDII, the risk of developing overt lymphoma and different therapeutic approaches.

Estimated levels of gluten incidentally present in a Canadian gluten-free diet

Avoiding exposure to gluten is currently the only effective treatment for celiac disease. However, the evidence suggests that for most affected individuals, exposure to less than 10 mg/day is unlikely to cause histological changes to the intestinal mucosa. The daily diet of people with celiac disease does not rely solely on gluten-free pre-packaged foods, but also on naturally gluten-free grains (e.g., rice, buckwheat, ...) and foods with grain-derived ingredients (i.e., flour and starches) used for cooking and baking at home. The objective of this study was to estimate the level of incidental gluten potentially present in gluten-free diets from a Canadian perspective. We have conducted gluten exposure estimations from grain-containing foods and foods with grain-derived ingredients, taking into consideration the various rates of food consumption by different sex and age groups. These estimates have concluded that if gluten was present at levels not exceeding 20 ppm, exposure to gluten would remain below 10 mg per day for all age groups studied. However, in reality the level of gluten found in naturally gluten-free ingredients is not static and there may be some concerns related to the flours made from naturally gluten-free cereal grains. It was found that those containing a higher level of fiber and that are frequently used to prepare daily foods by individuals with celiac disease could be a concern. For this category of products, only the flours and starches labelled “gluten-free” should be used for home-made preparations.

Celiac disease and overweight in children: an update

The clinical presentation of celiac disease in children is very variable and differs with age. The prevalence of atypical presentations of celiac disease has increased over the past 2 decades. Several studies in adults and children with celiac disease indicate that obesity/overweight at disease onset is not unusual. In addition, there is a trend towards the development of overweight/obesity in celiac patients who strictly comply with a gluten-free diet. However, the pathogenesis and clinical implications of the coexistence of classic malabsorption (e.g., celiac disease) and overweight/obesity remain unclear. This review investigated the causes and main clinical factors associated with overweight/obesity at the diagnosis of celiac disease and clarified whether gluten withdrawal affects the current trends of the nutritional status of celiac disease patients.

Mapping histologic patchiness of celiac disease by push enteroscopy

BACKGROUND

Despite great improvements in serologic testing, duodenal biopsies are still required to diagnose the majority of celiac disease (CD) cases. Nevertheless, the histologic pattern of CD is often patchy, leading to the risk of missing the diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the patchiness of the CD histologic lesions along the small bowel (SB), push enteroscopy has been performed instead of conventional upper GI endoscopy.

DESIGN

Prospective, single-center study.

SETTING

Tertiary-care referral center.

PATIENTS

A total of 41 pediatric patients with suspected CD.

INTERVENTION

Prospective evaluation of bulb, duodenal, and jejunal biopsy specimens in the diagnosis of CD.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Pattern of lesion distribution along the SB (from bulb up to 60 cm beyond the ligament of Treitz) and yield as well accuracy of pediatric CD diagnosis by using push enteroscopy.

RESULTS

There was a homogeneous pattern of histologic damage in 17 patients (41.5%), whereas 24 patients (58.5%) had a lesion pattern of patchiness. The second and fourth duodenal regions were involved in 38 children (92.7%) and 37 children (90.2%), respectively; the bulb was involved in 37 patients (90.2%); both distal and proximal jejunal samples showed histologic lesions in 38 children (92.7%). In 1 patient, without lesions in the bulb and duodenum, CD was diagnosed according to proximal and distal jejunal biopsies only (3B and C, respectively). A significant correlation was found between the degree of villous atrophy and the serum anti-transglutaminase titer.

LIMITATIONS

Small sample size; academic tertiary-care setting.

CONCLUSION

CD histologic lesions often have a discontinuous distribution along the SB, occasionally with an exclusive jejunal involvement. A high degree of villous atrophy correlates with a high anti-transglutaminase titer. When the new ESPGHAN "biopsy-sparing" criteria are not applicable, in case of potential CD, push enteroscopy might be a valuable second-step tool to re-evaluate and identify false "potential" CD hiding exclusive jejunal lesions.

Celiac disease patients presenting with anemia have more severe disease than those presenting with diarrhea

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Anemia is considered to be an atypical or silent presentation of celiac disease, compared with the classic presentation with diarrhea. However, little information is available about how these groups compare in terms of disease severity. We compared the severity of celiac disease between patients who present with anemia vs those who present with diarrhea.

METHODS

The study cohort was selected from a database of patients with celiac disease who were evaluated at a tertiary referral center between 1990 and 2011. Severity of celiac disease was assessed by the degree of villous atrophy and clinical and serologic parameters. Patients were compared according to mode of presentation and sex. Multivariable analyses, adjusting for age and sex, were conducted to assess the association between the mode of celiac disease presentation and cholesterol level, bone density, severity of villous atrophy, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and level of anti-tissue transglutaminase.

RESULTS

Of 727 patients, 77% presented with diarrhea and 23% with anemia (92% iron deficient). On multiple regression analysis, presentation with anemia was associated with lower levels of total cholesterol (P = .02) and high-density lipoprotein (P = .002) and a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P = .001) and level of anti-tissue transglutaminase (P = .01). Presentation with anemia was associated with lower level of cholesterol only in women. Anemic patients were more than 2-fold more likely to have severe villous atrophy and a low bone mass density at the time they were diagnosed with celiac disease than patients who presented with diarrhea.

CONCLUSIONS

Celiac disease patients who present with anemia have more severe disease than those who present with diarrhea. There also appear to be sex-specific differences with regard to the association between anemia and the different features of celiac disease.

Young adults with coeliac disease may be at increased risk of early atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Accelerated progression of atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk have been described in immune-mediated disorders, but few data are available in coeliac disease.

AIM

To evaluate instrumental and biochemical signs of atherosclerosis risk in 20 adults at first diagnosis of coeliac disease and after 6-8 months of gluten-free diet with mucosal recovery.

METHODS

We analysed total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, folate and vitamin B12; ultrasound measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and endothelium-dependent dilatation were both carried on at diagnosis and after gluten withdrawal. Twenty-two healthy members of the hospital staff served as matched controls for vascular examinations.

RESULTS

At baseline, mean total and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) were both within normal range, while mean LDL-cholesterol concentration was slightly increased; diet was associated with an increment in total and HDL-C (68.2 ± 17.4 vs. 51.4 ± 18.6 mg/dL; P < 0.001) and a significant improvement in total/HDL-C ratio (3.05 ± 0.71 vs. 3.77 ± 0.92; P < 0.02). Mean plasma homocysteine was elevated and not influenced by diet. C-reactive protein significantly decreased with diet (1.073 ± 0.51 vs. 1.92 ± 1.38 mg/dL; P < 0.05). At baseline, in coeliacs, IMT was increased (0.082 ± 0.011 vs. 0.058 ± 0.012 cm; P < 0.005), while endothelium-dependent dilatation was decreased (9.3 ± 1.3 vs. 11.2 ± 1.2%; P < 0.05). Both parameters improved after gluten abstinence.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with coeliac disease seem to be at potentially increased risk of early atherosclerosis as suggested by vascular impairment and unfavourable biochemical risk pattern. Chronic inflammation might play a determining role. Gluten abstinence with mucosal normalisation reverts to normal the observed alterations.

ACG clinical guidelines: diagnosis and management of celiac disease

This guideline presents recommendations for the diagnosis and management of patients with celiac disease. Celiac disease is an immune-based reaction to dietary gluten (storage protein for wheat, barley, and rye) that primarily affects the small intestine in those with a genetic predisposition and resolves with exclusion of gluten from the diet. There has been a substantial increase in the prevalence of celiac disease over the last 50 years and an increase in the rate of diagnosis in the last 10 years. Celiac disease can present with many symptoms, including typical gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., diarrhea, steatorrhea, weight loss, bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain) and also non-gastrointestinal abnormalities (e.g., abnormal liver function tests, iron deficiency anemia, bone disease, skin disorders, and many other protean manifestations). Indeed, many individuals with celiac disease may have no symptoms at all. Celiac disease is usually detected by serologic testing of celiac-specific antibodies. The diagnosis is confirmed by duodenal mucosal biopsies. Both serology and biopsy should be performed on a gluten-containing diet. The treatment for celiac disease is primarily a gluten-free diet (GFD), which requires significant patient education, motivation, and follow-up. Non-responsive celiac disease occurs frequently, particularly in those diagnosed in adulthood. Persistent or recurring symptoms should lead to a review of the patient's original diagnosis to exclude alternative diagnoses, a review of the GFD to ensure there is no obvious gluten contamination, and serologic testing to confirm adherence with the GFD. In addition, evaluation for disorders associated with celiac disease that could cause persistent symptoms, such as microscopic colitis, pancreatic exocrine dysfunction, and complications of celiac disease, such as enteropathy-associated lymphoma or refractory celiac disease, should be entertained. Newer therapeutic modalities are being studied in clinical trials, but are not yet approved for use in practice. Given the incomplete response of many patients to a GFD-free diet as well as the difficulty of adherence to the GFD over the long term, development of new effective therapies for symptom control and reversal of inflammation and organ damage are needed. The prevalence of celiac disease is increasing worldwide and many patients with celiac disease remain undiagnosed, highlighting the need for improved strategies in the future for the optimal detection of patients.

The potential applications of capsule endoscopy in pediatric patients compared with adult patients

Capsule endoscopy (CE) avoids the ionizing radiation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia required by other imaging modalities, making it particularly valuable in the evaluation of gastrointestinal disease in pediatric patients. In examining the use of CE in pediatric and adult patients through a review of the literature, it was observed that CE is most frequently indicated for the evaluation of Crohn's disease (CD) in pediatric patients and most frequently indicated for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) in adults, although OGIB is a more frequent indication than CD in pediatric patients younger than 8 years of age. Diagnostic accuracy has been good and comparable to that of magnetic resonance enterography, and capsule retention rates as well as other adverse events appear to be low in pediatric patients. Research is needed to explore broader indications and applications of CE in the diagnosis and monitoring of gastrointestinal disease.

Degree of damage to the small bowel and serum antibody titers correlate with clinical presentation of patients with celiac disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

In patients with celiac disease, gluten-induced lesions of the small-bowel mucosa develop gradually. However, it is not clear whether clinical presentation correlates with the degree of mucosal damage based on histology analysis. We investigated whether the degree of mucosal damage to the small bowel correlates with clinical presentation and serum markers of celiac disease.

METHODS

We collected results from serology tests and mucosal biopsy samples from 638 consecutive patients with celiac disease and compared them with reported gastrointestinal symptoms, health-related quality-of-life scores, results from laboratory tests, and bone mineral densities of patients. We assessed mucosal injury based on the ratio of villous height to crypt depth, numbers of intraepithelial CD3(+) cells, and semiquantitative Marsh classification criteria. Correlations were established based on the Pearson or Spearman coefficients.

RESULTS

The ratio of the villous height to crypt depth correlated with the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, quality-of-life scores, laboratory test results, numbers of intraepithelial CD3(+) cells, and serum levels of antibodies associated with celiac disease. There was no correlation between the ratio of villous height to crypt depth and bone mineral density. The number of intraepithelial CD3(+) cells was not associated with symptoms, whereas the Marsh classification and serum levels of antibodies associated with celiac disease correlated with gastrointestinal symptoms, laboratory test results, and numbers of intraepithelial CD3(+) cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The ratio of small-bowel villous height to crypt depth and results from serology tests correlate with reported symptoms and quality of life of patients with celiac disease. Patient-reported outcomes are therefore of value, in addition to histology findings, in assessing patients with celiac disease.

Transformation of videocapsule images to detect small bowel mucosal differences in celiac versus control patients

BACKGROUND

Videocapsule endoscopy can be useful to detect small intestinal pathology in celiac disease patients. However, presence of extraneous features including air bubbles and opaque fluids can complicate the analysis. A technique for quantitative analysis of videocapsule images is presented that is robust to presence of extraneous features.

METHOD

Videocapsule clips were acquired from five small intestinal locations in 12 celiacs with villous atrophy and 11 control patients. Clips were 200 frames in length, their resolution was 576 × 576 pixels and 256 grayscale levels, with 2/s frame rate. The dominant period (DP), defined as the tallest peak in the ensemble average power spectrum, was computed over each clip without removal of extraneous features. Ensemble average basis images were constructed, and measurements were made of their frame-to-frame variation in brightness and texture.

RESULTS

From pooled basis images, celiac images had greater texture than controls and exhibited more brightness variation (p<0.05 in mean and p<0.01 in standard deviation). In celiacs, correlation existed between greater textural alterations versus longer DP (r²=0.47), and between greater brightness variation and longer DP (r²=0.33). There was no significant correlation between quantitative features and DP in controls (r²<0.25).

CONCLUSIONS

Using this new method, celiac videoclips were quantitatively distinguishable from control videoclips without manual or computer-assisted detection, masking, and removal of extraneous image features. Furthermore, in celiac but not control basis images, larger textural and brightness alterations were correlated to longer DP. Greater textural and brightness alterations, and thus longer periodicities, are likely related to presence of villous atrophy.

Diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy in refractory celiac disease

OBJECTIVES

Capsule endoscopy (CE) allows for the assessment of the small bowel in numerous intestinal diseases, including celiac disease (CD). The main advantage of CE is the complete visualization of the intestinal mucosal surface. The objective of this study was to investigate whether CE can predict the severity of CD and detect complications.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied the medical files of 9 patients with symptomatic CD, 11 patients with refractory celiac disease type I (RCDI) and 18 patients with refractory celiac disease type II (RCDII), and 45 patients without CD who were investigated both CE and upper endoscopy or enteroscopy. The type of CD was diagnosed on the basis of a centralized histological review, flow cytometry analysis of intraepithelial lymphocytes, and the analysis of T-cell receptor rearrangement by multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

A total of 47 CEs (10, 11, and 26 CEs in the symptomatic CD, RCDI, and RCDII groups, respectively) from the 38 celiac patients and 47 CEs from the 45 nonceliac patients were retrospectively reviewed. Villous atrophy, numerous, or distally located ulcers were more frequent in celiac patients than in controls. Among celiac patients, CE was of acceptable quality in 96% of cases and was complete in 62% of cases. The concordance of CE with histology for villous atrophy was better than that of optic endoscopy (κ coefficient =0.45 vs. 0.24, P<0.001). Extensive mucosal damage on CE was associated with low serum albumin (P=0.003) and the RCDII form (P=0.02). Three cases of overt lymphoma were detected by CE during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

CE findings have a satisfactory concordance with histology and nutritional status in patients with symptomatic or refractory CD. Moreover, CE may predict the type of RCD and allows for the early detection of overt lymphoma.

Presentation of celiac disease

The mode of presentation of patients with celiac disease has changed dramatically over the recent decades, with diarrheal or classic presentations becoming less common. This trend is most markedly seen in children, whose main presentations include recurrent abdominal pain, growth issues, and screening groups at risk. Among adults, presentations include diarrhea, anemia, osteoporosis, and recognition at endoscopy performed for gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as screening. The groups most commonly screened include family members of patients with celiac disease, Down syndrome, and autoimmune diseases.

Video capsule endoscopy in celiac disease

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) provides a safe, non-invasive way to visualize the small intestine and is helpful in celiac disease patients in select situations. VCE can be performed in patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo conventional endoscopy, those with positive celiac serology with normal duodenal biopsies, and also in those who develop alarm symptoms. VCE has limitations including subjective interpretation. Techniques are being developed to standardize assessment of VCE images in patients with known or suspected celiac disease. Pilot studies using computer-based quantification methods have shown promise in examining the 3-dimensional mucosal structure and motility.

Refractory celiac disease

A small subset of patients with celiac disease become refractory to a gluten-free diet, with persistent or recurrent symptoms of malabsorption and intestinal villous atrophy. This condition, defined as refractory celiac disease (RCD), is diagnosed after other small bowel diseases with villous atrophy are excluded. RCD is subdivided into 2 subgroups: type I RCD and type II RCD (RCDII). This latter condition is considered a low-grade intraepithelial lymphoma and has a poor prognosis. This article reviews the clinical and pathologic features of RCD and recent pathogenic findings in RCDII, offering a model to study how inflammation can drive T-cell lymphomagenesis.

Is enteroscopy necessary for diagnosis of celiac disease?

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the small intestine as a result of reaction to wheat protein, gluten. Exclusion of dietary gluten is the mainstay of the treatment that necessitates a precise diagnosis of the disease. Serological screening may aid in identifying patients with suspected CD, which should be confirmed by intestinal biopsy. It has been shown that duodenal biopsies are good for detection of the disease in most patients. However, there is a group of patients with positive serology and inconclusive pathology. As a result of the widespread use of serology, many patients with equivocal findings grow quickly. Unfortunately current endoscopic methods can only diagnose villous atrophy, which can be present in the later grades of disease (i.e., Marsh III). To diagnose CD correctly, going deeper in the intestine may be necessary. Enteroscopy can reveal changes in CD in the intestinal mucosa in 10%-17% of cases that have negative histology at initial workup. Invasiveness of the method limits its use. Capsule endoscopy may be a good substitute for enteroscopy. However, both techniques should be reserved for patients with suspected diagnosis of complications. This paper reviews the current literature in terms of the value of enteroscopy for diagnosis of CD.

Serology in adults with celiac disease: limited accuracy in patients with mild histological lesions

Celiac disease (CD) is a gluten-triggered enteropathy, presenting with insidious clinical patterns. It can occasionally be diagnosed in asymptomatic subjects. Our aim was to define the relationship among symptoms at diagnosis, serological markers [tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA), anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA) anti-actin antibodies (AAA)] and degree of mucosal damage. A total of 68 consecutive adult patients with CD were enrolled. Intestinal biopsies were scored according to the Marsh classification modified by Oberhuber: I-II minimal lesions or absent villous atrophy; IIIA partial villous atrophy; IIIB-C total villous atrophy (TVA). HLA-typing was done for all patients. No association between clinical presentation and severity of mucosal damage was found. Presence of EMA or tTGA was significantly associated with more severe mucosal damage (P < 0.001). Of 12 patients, 11 with AAA were also positive for TVA. The severity of mucosal damage is the main factor governing the detectability of serological markers of CD. The sensitivity of serological testing is questionable in patients with minimal lesions.

Diagnosing celiac disease by video capsule endoscopy (VCE) when esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and biopsy is unable to provide a diagnosis: a case series

Background

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is mainly used to evaluate patients with celiac disease in whom their course after diagnosis has been unfavorable and the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, lymphoma or refractory celiac disease is entertained, but it has been suggested that VCE could replace esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and biopsy under certain circumstances.

Methods

We report a single center case series of 8 patients with suspected celiac disease who were diagnosed by VCE.

Results

EGD and biopsy had been performed in 4 patients resulting in a negative biopsy, declined by 2, and contraindicated in 2 due to hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. In all patients, mucosal changes of scalloping, mucosal mosaicism and reduced folds were seen in either the duodenum or jejunum on VCE. Follow-up in 7 patients demonstrated improvement in either their serological abnormalities or their presenting clinical features on a gluten-free diet.

Conclusions

Our case series demonstrates that VCE and the visualization of the characteristic mucosal changes of villous atrophy may replace biopsy as the mode of diagnosis when EGD is either declined or contraindicated, or when duodenal biopsies are negative and there remains a high index of suspicion. Further study is needed to clarify the role and cost of diagnosing celiac disease with VCE.

Recent advances in small bowel diseases: Part II

As is the case in all areas of gastroenterology and hepatology, in 2009 and 2010 there were many advances in our knowledge and understanding of small intestinal diseases. Over 1000 publications were reviewed, and the important advances in basic science as well as clinical applications were considered. In Part II we review six topics: absorption, short bowel syndrome, smooth muscle function and intestinal motility, tumors, diagnostic imaging, and cystic fibrosis.

Epidemiology and clinical presentations of celiac disease

Evidence of the prevalence of celiac disease comes from serological screening studies. These have revealed that celiac disease is common, occurring in about 1 % of the population worldwide. There are some countries with higher prevalence rates such as Finland and others with lower rates, for example Germany. The disease is found in most continents and appears to be increasing. Most people with the disease are not currently diagnosed though women are diagnosed more frequently than men. The mode of presentation has changed both in children and adults with diarrhea and a malabsorption syndrome becoming less common. Abdominal pain and growth issues are major modes of presentation in children, while anemia, osteoporosis, and recognition at endoscopy performed for GERD are seen as modes of presentation in adults. Screening of at risk groups is a major mode of presentation for both adults and children.

The role of video capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of celiac disease: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is an attractive and patient friendly tool that provides high quality images of the small bowel. The reported yield of VCE in diagnosing celiac disease (CD) has shown variable results.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of VCE by pooling data of existing trials.

DESIGN

Meta-analysis. The fixed-effects or random-effects model was used as appropriate, based on whether homogeneity or heterogeneity, respectively, was indicated by the Cochran Q-test.

PATIENTS

Studies that estimated the accuracy of VCE were identified. The two investigators independently conducted the search and data extraction. A total of 166 individuals were included in this meta-analysis.

METHODS

An extensive literature search was performed and studies that estimated the accuracy of VCE in CD were identified. The two investigators independently conducted the search and data extraction. Data from the eligible studies were collected and pooled; sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios were computed. In addition, the results of the individual studies were displayed in a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) space to illustrate the distribution of sensitivities and specificities. A weighted symmetric summary ROC curve was computed and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated, with perfect tests having an AUC of 1 and poor tests having an AUC close to 0.5.

RESULTS

Out of 461 titles initially generated by the literature searches, six studies met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for meta-analysis. The overall pooled VCE sensitivity was 89% [95% confidence interval (82-94%)] and specificity was 95% [95% confidence interval (89-98%)]. The AUC under the weighted symmetric summary ROC was 0.9584.

CONCLUSION

The results of this meta-analysis mean that VCE, although it is not as accurate as pathology, could be a reasonable alternative method of diagnosing CD. Hopefully, this method will expand the portfolio of diagnostic methods available, especially in patients unwilling to undergo gastroscopy because of its perceived inconvenience and discomfort. However, larger, multicenter, and well-designed trials are needed to further establish the role of VCE in the diagnosis of CD.

The sourdough fermentation may enhance the recovery from intestinal inflammation of coeliac patients at the early stage of the gluten-free diet

PURPOSE

This study aimed at investigating the effect of corn, rice and amaranth gluten-free (GF) sourdoughs on the release of nitric oxide (NO) and synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines by duodenal mucosa biopsies of eight coeliac disease (CD) patients.

METHODS

Selected lactic acid bacteria were used as starters for the manufacture of corn, rice or amaranth sourdoughs. Chemically acidified doughs, without bacterial starters, and doughs started with baker's yeast alone were also manufactured from the same GF matrices. Pepsin-trypsin (PT) digests were produced from all sourdoughs and doughs, and used to assay the rate of recovery of biopsy specimens from eight CD patients at diagnosis. The release of NO and the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were assayed.

RESULTS

During fermentation, lactic acid bacteria acidified and grew well (ca. log 9.0 CFU/g) on all GF matrices, showing intense proteolysis. Duodenal biopsy specimens still released NO and IFN-γ when subjected to treatments with basal medium (control), PT-digest from chemically acidified doughs and PT-digest from doughs fermented with baker's yeast alone. On the contrary, the treatment of all the biopsy specimens with PT-digests from all GF matrices subjected to sourdough fermentation significantly decreased the release of NO and the synthesis of IFN-γ.

CONCLUSIONS

During manufacture of GF baked goods, the use of sourdough fermentation could be considered as an adjuvant to enhance the recovery from intestinal inflammation of coeliac patients at the early stage of the gluten-free diet.