[Gluten enteropathy].

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Gluten enteropathy (GE), a condition characterized by small intestinal mucosal atrophy, affects numerous adults.
• Patients often present with significant malabsorption and metabolic disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term effects of a comprehensive treatment strategy on patients with gluten enteropathy.
• To assess the impact of treatment on clinical symptoms, biochemical markers, immune status, and intestinal histology.

Main Methods:

• A 10-year observational study involving 113 adult patients diagnosed with gluten enteropathy.
• Diagnosis confirmed by hyper-regenerative atrophy of the small intestinal mucosa.
• Treatment included a strict gluten-free diet, corticosteroids for severe cases, and management of diarrhea and metabolic disorders.

Main Results:

• A strict gluten-free diet combined with medical therapy achieved steady clinical remission in most patients.
• Significant improvements were observed in biochemical and immunological parameters.
• Histological examination showed a tendency towards normalization, with some patients achieving full recovery of small intestinal structure.

Conclusions:

• Long-term adherence to a gluten-free diet is crucial for managing gluten enteropathy.
• A multimodal treatment approach, including corticosteroids and supportive therapies, is effective in achieving remission and improving patient outcomes.
• Treatment can lead to significant recovery of small intestinal function and structure.