Gluten Immunogenic Peptides (GIP) Point-of-Care Urine Test in Coeliac Disease Follow-up before and during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Italy

Carolina Ciacci,1 Mario Gagliardi,1 Monica Siniscalchi,1 Monica Ruotolo,1 Antonella Santonicola,1 Najla Hajji,1 Fabiana Zingone2 1Celiac Center at Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy; 2Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, ItalyCorrespondence: Carolina CiacciCeliac Center at Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, 84081, ItalyEmail cciacci@unisa.itIntroduction: Celiac disease (CeD) diagnosis has worldwide shared protocols. Conversely, follow-up of patients is still an object of study. Gluten immunogenic peptide detection in the urine (GIP) appears to be a new and efficient method for dietary gluten control of patients. The present study aims to assess the clinical usefulness of the GIP point-of-care urine test in the follow-up of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with CeD before and during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy.Methods: Thirty adult CeD patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD) were enrolled before and during the COVID-19 lockdown through follow-up visits or remote consultation. Patients underwent anthropometrical evaluation, dietetic interview, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Then, two groups were formed: symptomatic and worried about gluten contamination. Each patient received 5 GIP point-of-care tests to perform a maximum of 5 times in the following 5 weeks in case of symptoms or anxiety state due to hypothesized gluten contamination.Results: Sixteen symptomatic patients and 14 patients with concerns related to gluten contamination were included. There were no differences in age, BMI, compliance to GFD and GIP positive tests between the two groups. Worried group showed a borderline higher level of anxiety than symptomatic group (p = 0.06), with a significant minor percentage of patients reporting “no or low anxiety” (14.3%