Dyspepsia and celiac disease: Prevalence, diagnostic tools and therapy

Celiac disease seroprevalence in subjects with dyspeptic symptoms. A study on a Mexican population

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy that develops in genetically susceptible individuals. The typical gastrointestinal manifestation is diarrhea but symptoms of dyspepsia, such as epigastric pain, nausea, or satiety, can sometimes appear. Previous studies have reported that the prevalence of CD in patients with dyspepsia can be as high as 7%. The aim of the present study was to evaluate CD seroprevalence in subjects with dyspeptic symptoms and a control group in a Mexican population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A case-control study was conducted on blood donors that answered the PAGI-SYM questionnaire for dyspepsia and in whom IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase 2 (IgA anti-tTG2) and IgG antibodies to deamidated gliadin peptide (IgG anti-DGP) were determined. CD seroprevalence in subjects with dyspeptic symptoms and in asymptomatic subjects was compared.

RESULTS

A total of 427 subjects (76.3% men), with a mean patient age of 34 years (range of 18-65 years) were included. Of those participants, 87 (20.3%) had symptoms of dyspepsia (group A) and 340 (79.6%) were asymptomatic (group B). Antibodies were positive in one (1.15%) of the group A subjects (1/87, 95% CI 0.2-6 %), whereas they were positive in 4 (1.18%) of the group B subjects (4/340, 95% CI 0.4-2.9%, p = 0.59).

CONCLUSIONS

CD seroprevalence in the study population with dyspeptic symptoms (1%) was not different from that of the control population. Thus, CD screening in Mexican patients with dyspepsia is not justified.

Celiac Disease and Gallbladder: Pathophysiological Aspects and Clinical Issues

Background: Celiac Disease (CD) is an immune-mediated disorder which primarily affects the small intestine; however, extra-intestinal organs are often affected by the pathological process, too. As regards the digestive system, liver alterations in CD patients have been widely described, which can also extend to the biliary tract. Notably, gallbladder function can be altered in CD patients. In this review, we specifically analyze and summarize the main pathophysiological aspects and clinical evidence of gallbladder dysfunction in CD patients, in order to discuss the potential medical complications and clinical research gaps. In addition to some perturbations of bile composition, CD patients can develop gallbladder dysmotility, which mainly expresses with an impaired emptying during the digestive phase. The main pathophysiological determinant is a perturbation of cholecystokinin secretion by the specific duodenal enteroendocrine cells in response to the appropriate nutrient stimulation in CD patients. This situation appears to be reversible with a gluten-free diet in most cases. Despite this gallbladder impairment, CD patients do not seem to be more predisposed to gallbladder complications, such as calculous and acalculous cholecystitis. However, very few clinical studies have actively investigated these clinical aspects, which may not be completely evidenced so far; alternatively, the substantial improvements in the last two decades regarding CD diagnosis, which have reduced the diagnostic delay (and related dietary treatment), may have lessened the potential clinical consequences of CD-related gallbladder dysfunction. Specific clinical studies focused on these aspects are needed for a better understanding of the clinical implications of gallbladder alterations in CD patients.

Prevalence of celiac disease in patients with atypical presentations

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Unawareness about atypical forms of celiac disease (CD) leads to the underdiagnoses of CD. This study has investigated the prevalence of CD in patients with atypical presentations, such as idiopathic low bone mineral density (ILBMD) and dyspepsia, in the Iranian population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two separate groups of patients who have been diagnosed with dyspepsia and ILBMD (including either osteopenia or osteoporosis of unknown cause) were screened for CD during 2016-2019. Patients were serologically screened by means of IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase (IgA anti-tTG); in case of positive results, the patients underwent endoscopic intestinal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of CD.

RESULTS

Of 200 patients with ILBMD, six (3%) had a positive result for IgA anti-tTG; in five cases (2.5%), duodenal histology confirmed the CD diagnosis. Of 290 patients with dyspepsia, 25 (8.6%) had a positive result for anti-tTG IgA; nine cases (3.7%) were histologically compatible with CD. No significant differences were found between the two groups of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of CD in patients with atypical presentations, such as ILBMD and dyspepsia, is consistent (pvalue = 0.788) and higher than that in the general population (p value = 0.001); therefore, screening program for CD in these patients is highly recommended.

Functional Dyspepsia: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches

Functional dyspepsia is a common functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder of gastroduodenal origin, diagnosed clinically in the presence of prototypical symptoms of epigastric pain and meal-related symptoms, and without structural explanation. The most recent diagnostic criteria provide for two functional dyspepsia subtypes, epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) and post-prandial distress syndrome (PDS) based on the predominant symptom pattern. The evaluation of dyspepsia should keep laboratory, imaging, and invasive testing to a minimum, as extensive or repetitive investigations are of rather low diagnostic yield in the absence of localizing symptoms or alarm features. Factors with etiopathologic relationships to functional dyspepsia include micro-inflammation, GI infections, abnormalities of gastroduodenal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, disturbances along the brain-gut axis, and psychological factors; all of these causative mechanisms have potential to partially explain symptoms in some functional dyspepsia patients, thus providing a rationale for the efficacy of a diversity of therapeutic approaches to functional dyspepsia. Management of dyspepsia symptoms relies upon both pharmacologic treatments and non-pharmacologic approaches, including psychological and complementary interventions. The evidence in support of established functional dyspepsia therapies is reviewed, and forms the basis for an effective functional dyspepsia treatment strategy emphasizing the patient's current symptom severity, pattern, and impact on the function and quality of life of the individual.

Is Celiac Disease Testing Necessary in Functional Abdominal Disorders? A Study in Predominantly Latino Children

BACKGROUND

Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are among the most common causes of consultation in general pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology. The Rome IV criteria recommend testing for celiac disease (CD) in children with irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea (IBS-D) and leaves testing in cases of other FAPDs to the practitioner's discretion. These recommendations were based on a single study that showed a 4-fold increase of CD among patients with IBS in Italy. It is unclear if these findings can be extrapolated to other populations. Understanding whether those results are reproducible in areas with different racial/ethnic backgrounds can optimize patient care.

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of CD in a sample of children consulting for FAPDs to a tertiary care center in Miami.

METHODS

The charts of all pediatric patients consulting for FAPDs from January 2016 to November 2019 at the University of Miami were reviewed. Demographics, diagnosis, and CD testing for each child were analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty-one children with FAPDs and celiac testing were seen. Mean age of 12.89 years, girls 61.34%. 84 (46.40%) had a diagnosis of IBS and 97 (53.59%) had a diagnosis of other FAPD. One of 181 children with FAPDs (0/84 with IBS and 1/97 with other FAPDs) had positive CD serological testing and EGD confirmation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that the prevalence of CD among children with FAPDs is similar to the community prevalence. This data questions the benefit of testing all children FAPDS (including IBS) for CD. Studies with larger sample size and various racial/ethnic makeup should be done to confirm our findings.

Routine Multiple Duodenal Biopsy during Endoscopy of Dyspeptic Patients Seems Unnecessary for Screening of Celiac Disease

Introduction

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic and common cause of dyspepsia with a rising prevalence worldwide. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence of CD in dyspeptic patients based on serology and biopsy, determining the associated factors, and assessing the necessity of regular duodenal biopsies from normal mucosa in diagnosis of CD among dyspeptic patients.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on 530 adult dyspeptic patients who underwent gastroduodenoscopy in Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, during 2016-2018. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, and laboratory analyses were extracted from hospital records. CD was diagnosed based on intestinal biopsy and serum antitissue transglutaminase (anti-TTG) levels. Mucosal lesions were classified according to the modified Marsh classification. Data were analyzed in SPSS with P < 0.05 being considered significant.

Results

Overall, 163 males (30.8%) and 367 females (69.2%) with an average age of 46.38 ± 15.54 years were studied. High anti-TTG levels were seen in 36 (6.8%) patients, and duodenal pathologies were seen in 23 (4.5%) patients. Fifteen (2.8%) were diagnosed with CD based on both serology and biopsy. Bloating was the most common type of dyspepsia in CD patients (7, 46.7%), followed by epigastric pain (6, 40%), and postprandial fullness (2, 13.3%). Two CD patients (13.3%) reported a positive family history for CD. Logistic regression model showed that iron deficiency anemia (IDA), anti-TTG level, and Helicobacter pylori infection were predictors of histological changes of CD, whereas IDA was the only independent predictor of CD in dyspeptic patients (OR = 17.65, 95%CI = 1.53‐202.52, and P = 0.021).

Conclusion

CD is prevalent in dyspeptic patients, but routine biopsy from normal-appearing duodenal mucosa is not recommended for all patients. Serological studies, complete history, and careful endoscopic evaluation may provide better cost-effective clinical solutions to improve the diagnostic yield of celiac disease in dyspeptic patients.

Celiac disease in non-clinical populations of Japan

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune enteropathy caused by gluten ingestion. While its prevalence in Western countries is reported to be as high as 1%, the prevalence has not been evaluated in a large-scale study of a Japanese population. The aim of our study was to clarify the possible presence of celiac disease in a Japanese non-clinical population as well as in patients showing symptoms suggestive of the disease.

METHODS

Serum samples were collected from 2008 non-clinical adults and 47 patients with chronic unexplained abdominal symptoms between April 2014 and June 2016. The anti-tissue transglutaminase (TTG) immunoglobulin A antibody titer was determined as a screening test for celiac disease in all subjects, and individuals with a value of >2 U/mL subsequently underwent testing for the presence of serum endomysial IgA antibody (EMA) as confirmation. Those testing positive for EMA or with a high concentration (>10 U/mL) of TTG were further investigated by histopathological examinations of duodenal mucosal biopsy specimens and HLA typing tests.

RESULTS

Of the 2008 non-clinical adults from whom serum samples were collected, 161 tested positive for TTG, and all tested negative for EMA. Four subjects who had a high TTG titer were invited to undergo confirmatory testing, and the histopathological results confirmed the presence of celiac disease in only a single case (0.05%). Of the 47 symptomatic patients, one (2.1%) was found to have a high TTG titer and was diagnosed with celiac disease based on duodenal histopathological findings.

CONCLUSION

The presence of celiac disease in a non-clinical Japanese population was low at 0.05% and was rarely found in patients with unexplained chronic abdominal symptoms.

Efficacy and safety of Xiangsha Liujunzi granules for functional dyspepsia: A multi-center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study

AIM

To assess the efficacy and safety of a Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), Xiangsha Liujunzi granules, in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD).

METHODS

We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with patients from three centers. Two hundred and sixteen subjects diagnosed with FD according to ROME III criteria and confirmed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and spleen-deficiency and Qi-stagnation syndrome were selected to receive Xiangsha Liujunzi granules or placebo for 4 wk in a 2:1 ratio by blocked randomization. The subjects also received follow-up after the 4-wk intervention. Herbal or placebo granules were dissolved in 300 mL of water. Participants in both groups were administered 130 mL (45 °C) three times a day. Participants were evaluated prior to and following 4 wk of the intervention in terms of changes in the postprandial discomfort severity scale (PDSS) score, clinical global impression (CGI) scale score, hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) score, traditional Chinese medicine symptoms score (SS), scores of various domains of the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), gastric emptying (GE) and any observed adverse effects.

RESULTS

Compared with the placebo group, patients in the CHM group showed significant improvements in the scores of PDSS, HADS, SS, SF-36 and CGI scale (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). They also showed the amelioration in the GE rates of the proximal stomach and distal stomach (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Xiangsha Liujunzi granules offered significant symptomatic improvement in patients with FD.

Mexican consensus on dyspepsia

Since the publication of the 2007 dyspepsia guidelines of the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología, there have been significant advances in the knowledge of this disease. A systematic search of the literature in PubMed (01/2007 to 06/2016) was carried out to review and update the 2007 guidelines and to provide new evidence-based recommendations. All high-quality articles in Spanish and English were included. Statements were formulated and voted upon using the Delphi method. The level of evidence and strength of recommendation of each statement were established according to the GRADE system. Thirty-one statements were formulated, voted upon, and graded. New definition, classification, epidemiology, and pathophysiology data were provided and include the following information: Endoscopy should be carried out in cases of uninvestigated dyspepsia when there are alarm symptoms or no response to treatment. Gastric and duodenal biopsies can confirm Helicobacter pylori infection and rule out celiac disease, respectively. Establishing a strong doctor-patient relationship, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes, are useful initial measures. H2-blockers, proton-pump inhibitors, prokinetics, and antidepressants are effective pharmacologic therapies. H.pylori eradication may be effective in a subgroup of patients. There is no evidence that complementary and alternative therapies are beneficial, with the exception of Iberogast and rikkunshito, nor is there evidence on the usefulness of prebiotics, probiotics, or psychologic therapies. The new consensus statements on dyspepsia provide guidelines based on up-to-date evidence. A discussion, level of evidence, and strength of recommendation are presented for each statement.

Gastric Activity and Gut Peptides in Patients With Functional Dyspepsia: Postprandial Distress Syndrome Versus Epigastric Pain Syndrome

GOALS

The goals of the study were to investigate in both postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) the gastric electrical activity and the gastric emptying (GE) time together with the circulating concentrations of motilin, somatostatin, corticotrophin-releasing factor, and neurotensin, and to establish whether the genetic variability in the neurotensin system genes differs between these 2 categories of functional dyspepsia (FD).

BACKGROUND

The current FD classification is based on symptoms and it has been proven not to be completely satisfying because of a high degree of symptom overlap between subgroups.

STUDY

Gastric electrical activity was evaluated by cutaneous electrogastrography: the GE time by C-octanoic acid breast test. Circulating concentrations of gut peptides were measured by a radioimmunoassay. NTS 479 A/G and NTSR1 rs6090453 SNPs were evaluated by PCR and endonuclease digestion.

RESULTS

Fifty-four FD patients (50 female/4 male) were studied. Using a symptom questionnaire, 42 patients were classified as PDS and 12 as EPS, although an overlap between the symptom profiles of the 2 subgroups was recorded. The electrogastrographic parameters (the postprandial instability coefficient of dominant frequency, the dominant power, and the power ratio) were significantly different between the subgroups, whereas the GE time did not differ significantly. In addition, EPS was characterized by a different gut peptide profile compared with PDS. Finally, neurotensin polymorphism was shown to be associated with neurotensin levels. This evidence deserves further studies in consideration of an analgesic role of neurotensin.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of gut peptide profiles could represent an interesting tool to enhance FD diagnosis and overcome limitations due to a distinction based solely on symptoms.

Low Prevalence of Clinically Significant Endoscopic Findings in Outpatients with Dyspepsia

Background. The value of endoscopy in dyspeptic patients is questionable. Aims. To examine the prevalence of significant endoscopic findings (SEFs) and the utility of alarm features and age in predicting SEFs in outpatients with dyspepsia. Methods. A retrospective analysis of outpatient adults who had endoscopy for dyspepsia. Demographic variables, alarm features, and endoscopic findings were recorded. We defined SEFs as peptic ulcer disease, erosive esophagitis, malignancy, stricture, or findings requiring specific therapy. Results. Of 650 patients included in the analysis, 51% had a normal endoscopy. The most common endoscopic abnormality was nonerosive gastritis (29.7%) followed by nonerosive duodenitis (7.2%) and LA-class A esophagitis (5.4%). Only 10.2% had a SEF. Five patients (0.8%) had malignancy. SEFs were more likely present in patients with alarm features (12.6% versus 5.4%, p = 0.004). Age ≥ 55 and presence of any alarm feature were associated with SEFs (aOR 1.8 and 2.3, resp.). Conclusion. Dyspeptic patients have low prevalence of SEF. The presence of any alarm feature and age ≥ 55 are associated with higher risk of SEF. Endoscopy in young patients with no alarm features has a low yield; these patients can be considered for nonendoscopic approach for diagnosis and management.

Adult Celiac Disease: Patients Are Shorter Compared with Their Peers in the General Population

BACKGROUND Delay in diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) occurs frequently, although its consequences are mostly not known. One of the presented symptoms in pediatric patients with CD is the short stature. However, far too little attention has been paid to physical features including height of adult patients with CD. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether patients suffering from CD are shorter in comparison with the general population without CD. As well, we evaluated probable correlations between demographic and physical features, main complains, serum anti tTG level, and intestinal pathology damage between short (lower quartile) versus tall stature (upper quartile) patients with CD. METHODS This was a retrospective cross-sectional study on 219 adult patients diagnosed as having CD in the Celiac Disease Center, between June 2008 and June 2014 in Mashhad, Iran. The exclusion criteria were ages less than 18 and more than 60 years. Height was compared with a group of 657 age- and sex matched control cases from the healthy population. The probable influencing factors on height such as intestinal pathology, serum level of anti-tissue transglutaminase(anti-tTG), serum vitamin D, and hemoglobin level at the time of diagnosis were assessed and were compared in short (lower quartile) versus tall stature (upper quartile) patients with CD. RESULTS Both male (n=65) and female (n=154) patients with CD were shorter than their counterpart in the general population (males: 168.5±8.6 to 171.3±7.2cm, p <0.01 and females: 154.8±10.58 to 157.8±7.2 cm, p <0.01). Spearman linear correlation showed height in patient with CD was correlated with serum hemoglobin (p <0.001, r=0.285) and bone mineral density (p<0.001) and not with serum vitamin D levels (p =0.024, r=0.237), but was not correlated with anti-tTG serum levels (p=0.97). CD patients with upper and lower quartile of height in men and women had no significant difference in the anti-tTG level and degree of duodenal pathology(Marsh grade). Anemia as main complaint was more prevalent in shorter versus taller men. CONCLUSION Adults with CD are shorter compared with healthy adults. There is a direct correlation between height and anemia and bone mineral density. This finding highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of CD.

Delayed gastric emptying does not normalize after gluten withdrawal in adult celiac disease

Objective Delayed gastric emptying has been frequently detected in patients with untreated celiac disease. According to several studies, gluten withdrawal showed to be effective in normalizing the gastric emptying rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gastric emptying rate of solids in patients with celiac disease before and after a gluten-free diet. Methods Twelve adult patients with celiac disease (age range 20-57 years) and 30 healthy controls (age range 30-54 years) underwent a (13)C-octanoic acid breath test to measure gastric emptying. Half emptying time (t1/2) and lag phase (tlag) were calculated. After at least 12 months of a gluten-free diet, celiac patients underwent a new (13)C-octanoic acid breath test. A symptom score was utilized to detect dyspeptic and malabsorption symptoms in all the patients. Results The gastric motility parameters, t1/2 and tlag, were significantly longer in patients than in controls. On a gluten-free diet, surprisingly, the gastric emptying did not normalize despite an improvement of symptom score. No significant correlation between abnormal gastric emptying and specific symptom patterns, anthropometric parameters or severity of histological damage was found. Conclusions This finding supports the hypothesis that gluten-driven mucosal inflammation might determine motor abnormalities by affecting smooth muscle contractility or impairing gut hormone function. The persistence of these abnormalities on a gluten free diet suggests the presence of a persistent low-grade mucosal inflammation with a permanent perturbation of the neuro-immunomodulatory regulation.

The C825T Polymorphism of the G-Protein β3 Gene as a Risk Factor for Functional Dyspepsia: A Meta-Analysis

Background. Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a functional upper gastrointestinal disorder with significant morbidity and medical costs. Previous studies investigated the association of G-protein β3 (GNB3) genetic polymorphisms with FD but with inconsistent results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to derive a precise estimation of the relationship between GNB3 polymorphisms and FD. Methods. We searched different databases including PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, and the Ovid Library to gather eligible studies on GNB3 polymorphisms and FD. The association was assessed by the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results. We identified 12 studies with 1109 cases and 2853 controls for the analysis. We found no associations of GNB3 C825T polymorphism with FD in the overall population (T versus C, OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.96-1.18, P = 0.26; TT versus CC + CT, OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.97-1.39, P = 0.11; TT + CT versus CC, OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.77-1.31, P = 0.96; TT versus CC, OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.93-1.44, P = 0.20). Subgroup analyses by genotyping method indicated that the magnitude of association was strengthened for additive model (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07-2.24, P = 0.02). Sensitivity analysis did not reveal significant associations under all models. Conclusions. This meta-analysis demonstrates that GNB3 C825T polymorphism may not be a risk factor for FD.