This study determined the occurrence of gluten sensitivity (GS) in a group of allergic patients and assessed the efficacy of a gluten-free diet (GFD) as treatment for presenting symptomatology in those diagnosed with GS but not celiac disease. A total of 262 unrelated allergic patients with gastrointestinal symptoms of obscure origin were tested for gluten sensitivity through biopsy. All patients were also genotyped for the typical celiac DQ2 and DQ8 molecules and investigated for hematological markers such as antigliadin and antiendomysial antibodies. Patients displaying mucosal lesions were invited to follow a GFD. Seventy-seven of the 262 allergic patients were positive for mucosal lesions, but negative to the antiAGA, antiEMA and to DQ2 and DQ8 molecules. The positive patients, who after the GS diagnosis followed a GFD, exhibited control of symptoms as well as stabilization of the hematological parameters even if allergic manifestations were not abated. Authors concluded that a nonceliac gluten-sensitive enteropathy (NCGSE) commonly exists in allergic patients. Based on the high prevalence of NCGSE in allergy, these authors recommended that biopsy should be part of the routine investigation of allergic disease. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2011 Feb 22;155(4):389-394. PMID: 21346369.
