Occurrence of non-celiac gluten-sensitivity in patients with allergic disease

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of gluten-sensitivity (GS) in a group of allergic patients and assess the efficacy of a gluten free diet (GFD) on the improvement of the symptomatology in those who were diagnosed with GS. Methods: 262 unrelated allergic patients, with gastrointestinal symptoms of obscure origin were proven for GS condition by biopsy. All patients were also genotyped for the typical celiac DQ2 and DQ8 molecules and investigated for several hematological parameters such as antigliadin and antiendomysial antibodies. Patients displaying mucosal lesions were invited to follow a GFD. Results: 77 of the 262 allergic patients were positive to mucosal lesions, but negative to the antiAGA, antiEMA and to DQ2 and DQ8 molecules. We found, instead, a prevalence of the DQA1*05 allele, whereas anemia of inflammatory origin, represented the predominant complaint in our subjects. The positive patients who, after the GS diagnosis, followed a gluten free diet, exhibited the control of symptoms, the stabilization of the hematological parameters even if allergic manifestations were not abated. Conclusions. A non-celiac gluten-sensitive (NCGSE) commonly occurs in allergic patients. Based on the high prevalence of NCGSE in allergy, it is recommended that biopsy should be part of the routine investigation of allergic disease to offer the benefits of treatment with a gluten free diet to the patients.