1. Pitfalls in the Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease and Gluten-Related Disorders
- Author
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Antonio Meriggi, Annalisa Schiepatti, Federico Biagi, Federica Borrelli de Andreis, Luca Perfetti, Marta Vernero, and Jessica Savioli
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Ataxia ,Glutens ,diagnosis ,Dermatitis Herpetiformis ,Organic disorders ,lcsh:TX341-641 ,Gluten sensitivity ,Review ,Wheat Hypersensitivity ,Unnecessary Procedures ,Coeliac disease ,Diagnosis, Differential ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Dermatitis herpetiformis ,wheat ,medicine ,Humans ,Diagnostic Errors ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Nutrition and Dietetics ,business.industry ,non-coeliac gluten sensitivity ,Histocompatibility Testing ,celiac disease ,gluten ,wheat allergy ,Immunoglobulin E ,Gluten-related disorders ,medicine.disease ,Dermatology ,Gluten ,chemistry ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,030211 gastroenterology & hepatology ,medicine.symptom ,business ,lcsh:Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,Wheat allergy ,Food Science - Abstract
The spectrum of gluten-related disorders (GRD) has emerged as a relevant phenomenon possibly impacting on health care procedures and costs worldwide. Current classification of GRD is mainly based on their pathophysiology, and the following categories can be distinguished: immune-mediated disorders that include coeliac disease (CD), dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), and gluten ataxia (GA); allergic reactions such as wheat allergy (WA); and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), a condition characterized by both gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms subjectively believed to be induced by the ingestion of gluten/wheat that has recently gained popularity. Although CD, DH, and WA are well-defined clinical entities, whose diagnosis is based on specific diagnostic criteria, a diagnosis of NCGS may on the contrary be considered only after the exclusion of other organic disorders. Neither allergic nor autoimmune mechanisms have been found to be involved in NCGS. Mistakes in the diagnosis of GRD are still a relevant clinical problem that may result in overtreatment of patients being unnecessary started on a gluten-free diet and waste of health-care resources. On the basis of our clinical experience and literature, we aim to identify the main pitfalls in the diagnosis of CD and its complications, DH, and WA. We provide a practical methodological approach to guide clinicians on how to recognize and avoid them.
- Published
- 2020