Gluten-related disorders: certainties, questions and doubts

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Gluten ingestion is linked to celiac disease, wheat allergy, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
• Gluten-related disorders affect approximately 5% of the global population.
• There's a growing trend of self-prescribed gluten-free diets without confirmed diagnoses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on gluten-related disorders.
• To highlight diagnostic uncertainties and management challenges.
• To emphasize the need for appropriate diagnostic protocols.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of clinical disorders associated with gluten.
• Analysis of epidemiological trends in gluten-related disorders.
• Discussion of current management strategies and diagnostic approaches.

Main Results:

• Incidence of gluten-related disorders has risen in the past decade.
• Self-diagnosis and inappropriate gluten-free diet initiation are common.
• Gluten and wheat are primary triggers for celiac disease, wheat allergy, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Appropriate diagnostic protocols are essential for managing gluten-related disorders.
• Healthcare professionals must guide patients toward accurate diagnosis before dietary changes.
• Further research is needed to address open questions in gluten-related disorder management.