CASE REPORTS   

Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica 2007 December;53(4):387-9

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Is a gluten-free diet necessary in patients with potential celiac disease?

Biagi F., Campanella J., Bianchi P. I., Corazza G. R.

First Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

Potential celiac disease is characterized by a normal duodenal mucosa despite high intraepithelial lymphocytes count and/or positive endomysial antibodies while on a gluten-containing diet. An agreement about the management of this condition is still lacking. A 68-year-old lady complaining of weight loss and epigastric pain was found to be affected by potential celiac disease. Although she maintained a gluten-containing diet, epigastric pain and weight loss disappeared. If she had started a gluten-free diet, the improvement would have been considered a demonstration of the beneficial effect of the diet. Potential celiac patients can be maintained on a gluten-containing diet providing they are closely followed up.