[Clinical analysis of gluten-related disease]

To explore the diagnosis and treatment of gluten-related disorders (GRD).

Anti-gliadin antibodies(AGA), anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody, deamidated gliadin peptides (DGP) antibody and serum specific IgG antibodies of 14 kinds of intolerable food were tested in people who developed chronic diarrhea after the intake of gluten diet. HLA-DQ2, HLA-DQ8 and intestinal endoscopic multiple biopsies would be performed further in patients with positive coeliac disease (CD)-specific serology. Gluten free diet was given to patients with positive CD-specific serology.One patient received prednisone (30 mg/d and diminished 5 mg/w).

Nine patients were confirmed with celiac disease (CD) and four cases were suspected non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) in 13 patients with positive serologic tests. Twelve cases received effective therapy. In CD group, 6 cases were accompanied with comorbidities mainly autoimmune diseases and osteoporosis. The positive rates of AGA and tTG antibody were 9/9 and 2/9 respectively in the CD group, while tTG antibody in the NCGS group were both negative.Endoscopic intestinal biopsy was performed in all 13 cases. Plasma cell proliferation and lymphocyte infiltration in the lamina propria without villus atrophy were identified in 4 cases, representing chronic inflammation of the small intestine. Villus atrophy was detected in 9 cases. Two patients with NCGS ingested gluten after 4 and 6 months of gluten-free diet respectively, and the number of bowel movements increased 1-2 times per day.

The diagnosis of CD is mainly based on serologic tests and characteristic of histological features. CD may be companied by other autoimmune diseases or metabolic disease of bone. Lifelong adherence to a gluten free diet is the most basic and effective therapy.