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Intestinal T-cell responses to high-molecular-weight glutenins in celiac disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The chronic, small intestinal inflammation that defines celiac disease is initiated by a HLA-DQ2 restricted T-cell response to ingested gluten peptides after their in vivo deamidation by tissue transglutaminase (TG2). To date, celiac disease can only be treated by a lifelong abstinence from foods that contain wheat, rye, or barley; better therapeutic options are hence needed. An attractive target would be to identify nontoxic wheat cultivars or components thereof with intact baking qualities. Because these qualities are mainly determined by the high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin proteins of gluten, it is critical to know if these proteins are toxic or, more specifically, if they will trigger the activation of T cells in the celiac lesion. METHODS: Different, highly purified HMW glutenins were isolated from wheat cultivars or expressed as recombinant proteins. The proteins were first tested for recognition by a large panel of gluten-specific T-cell lines established from celiac lesions and then applied during ex vivo challenges of celiac biopsies to allow for a direct identification of HMW specific T cells. RESULTS: Intestinal T-cell responses to TG2-deamidated HMW glutenins but not the corresponding native proteins were detectable in 9 of the 22 adult and childhood celiac disease patients tested. CONCLUSIONS: T cells within celiac lesions frequently recognize deamidated HMW glutenin proteins. This finding questions the possibility of implementing these proteins in novel food items destined to be nontoxic for celiac disease patients.

Adult↗

Interleukin 15 mediates epithelial changes in celiac disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Villous atrophy and crypt proliferation are key epithelial features of untreated celiac disease. We tried to define whether cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-15, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-7, which share chains of their receptors, could influence the epithelial modifications. METHODS: Duodenal biopsy specimens (14 treated and 13 untreated celiac patients, 7 controls) were cultured in vitro for 24 hours with or without gliadin (1 mg/mL), IL-15, IL-7, IL-4, or IL-2 (10 ng/mL). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma were also used in some specimens of untreated celiacs. Epithelial expression of Ki67, FAS, and transferrin receptor (TFR) was detected by immunohistochemistry, and apoptosis by TUNEL technique (percentage of positive enterocytes). IL-15-positive cells were detected by immunohistochemistry in celiac disease and control biopsy specimens; presence of IL-15 was also determined by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Only IL-15 induced enterocyte expression of Ki67, TFR, and FAS in treated celiac (P<0.01 vs. medium) and enterocyte apoptosis in untreated celiac disease specimens. Anti-IL-15 monoclonal antibodies neutralized gliadin-induced enterocyte TFR and FAS expression in treated celiac and enterocyte apoptosis in untreated celiac disease specimens (P<0.05 vs. gliadin). IL-15-positive cells were increased in untreated celiacs (P<0.001 vs. treated celiacs and controls). CONCLUSIONS: IL-15 is involved in the modulation of epithelial changes in celiac disease, indicating that this cytokine has an unforeseen role in the pathologic manifestations of celiac disease.

Adolescent↗

[Treatment and management of celiac disease].

In most patients the clinical course of celiac disease is unproblematic after the diagnosis has been made and a strict gluten-free diet is established. However, in rare cases complications like refractory sprue or lymphoma can occur. Individual management is required since the clinical presentation of celiac disease can be very heterogeneous. For example, it is a matter of controversy if asymptomatic patients, who have the same typical histological changes in their small bowel like patients with symptomatic celiac disease, should adhere to a gluten-free diet. A major problem is the compliance and the unintentional intake of gluten. A 100 % gluten-free diet is not possible since most food components are contaminated with trace amounts of gluten. Fortunately most patients tolerate these contaminations. Furthermore, the threshold for gluten contamination can differ highly among patients. One central point in patient care is the monitoring of a gluten-free diet and the timely recognition of complications. Therefore, the role of antibodies and duodenal histology in monitoring the course of the disease will be discussed.

Celiac Disease↗

HLA-DR, DQ genotypes of celiac disease patients and healthy subjects from the West of Ireland.

Celiac disease (CD) has one of the strongest class II HLA associations of any human illness. We used DNA-RFLP typing to study the class II HLA genotypes of celiac disease patients from the West of Ireland, the geographic area with the highest rate of celiac disease in the world. We confirmed the high frequency of HLA-DR3 in this population, and we were also able to demonstrate the additional risk of developing celiac disease imparted by HLA-DR7. This was done by clearly distinguishing DR7,DQ2 haplotypes from DR7,DQ9 haplotypes, and by "subtraction analysis" of haplotype frequencies. As reported in other populations, most of the patients without DR3 were heterozygous for DR7 and DR11 or 12 (DR5), or had DR4. We used PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing of amplified DNA to examine HLA-DR4 subtypes. The frequency of HLA-DR4 was markedly decreased in patients compared with controls (p = 0.000001) and there was a significant alteration of DR4 subtypes of the patients compared with controls (p = 0.0227). Moreover, all of the CD patients (5 of 5) with DR4 had a haplotype associated with the DQB1*0302 allele compared with only 11 of 23 control subjects with DR4. Our results in this population with exceptionally high risk of CD strongly support the DQ heterodimer hypothesis and suggest that the recently described sequence difference between the DQB1*02 alleles of DR3 and DR7 may contribute to a synergistic increased risk when these haplotypes are inherited together. In addition, our findings suggest a role for HLA-DQ in DR4-associated CD.

Celiac Disease↗

[Celiac disease and spontaneous abortion].

BACKGROUND: Over the last ten years it has become clear that the clinical expression of celiac disease is more heterogeneous than was thought in the past. Although celiac disease is a relatively frequent disease (1/170-200), it is only diagnosed in a small percentage of adult cases compared to the real situation because it is manifested with few symptoms or in an atypical form, or occasionally is completely silent. Gynecological problems have been reported in women with celiac disease, in particular delayed menarche, early menopause, sterility, recurrent abortion and fetal intrauterine growth retardation. The main aim of this study was to investigate the association between celiac disease and abortion, and in particular to evaluate whether patients suffering from recurrent spontaneous abortion might present an atypical or subclinical form of the disease. METHODS: During the period 1997-1998 a series of laboratory tests were carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and at the Institute of Medicine B of Verona University, in a sample of 184 women (149 from the Obstetrics Clinic and 35 from Internal Medicine B ). These tests included circulating anti-gliadin (AGA) and anti-endomysium (EMA) antibodies and total serum immunoglobulins. In positive cases, further diagnostic tests were performed using small bowel biopsy specimens. RESULTS: In our selected sample of cases, 5 women (2.7%) were positive for immunological screening against IgA-EMA and for bowel biopsy (confirmed diagnosis of celiac disease). Four of these women (2.1%) formed part of a group of patients with a positive history of spontaneous abortion and one (0.5%) was from the control group. CONCLUSIONS: An analysis of the cases that emerged from this study and those reported in the literature shows that tests to identify the celiac disease should be extended to the population with a risk of developing this disease. These subjects should include those with a family history or clinical symptoms, in particular women with a history of multiple abortions. In these cases, there are grounds for suspecting an atypical form of celiac disease.

Abortion, Habitual↗

[Celiac disease associated with Helicobacter pylori infection].

Celiac disease, also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an autoimmune enteropathy caused by the ingestion of gluten-containing grains in susceptible subjects. The authors present a 3 years and 5 months old girl diagnosed with celiac disease at 1 year and 5 months old. Initially, the evolution after gluten-free diet was favorable. After 2 years the child presented abdominal pain and anorexia. The IgA antigliadin antibodies had normal values. The gastric biopsy found Helicobacter pylori gastritis. After treatment for Helicobacter pylori eradication the symptoms disappeared.

Biopsy↗

Silent celiac disease in chronic hepatitis C: impact of interferon treatment on the disease onset and clinical outcome.

GOALS: To assess the impact of interferon treatment on celiac disease onset in hepatitis C patients and to clarify its clinical relevance and outcome. BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C is associated with autoimmunity, which can be exacerbated by interferon treatment. Cases of celiac disease activation during interferon treatment have been reported. STUDY: Retrospective evaluation of 534 hepatitis C patients with or without symptoms compatible with celiac disease onset during interferon treatment and 225 controls. Anti-transglutaminase antibodies were assayed. HLA-DQA1 and -B1 loci were typed. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was applied to confirm the diagnosis in antibody-positive patients. RESULTS: Anti-transglutaminase antibodies were detected before treatment in 1.3% of hepatitis C patients and in 0.4% of controls (not significant). Eighty-six percent of patients with anti-transglutaminase antibodies showed activation of celiac disease while on interferon. Symptoms ranged from mild to severe, and interferon had to be discontinued in 2 of 7 (29%) patients. Symptoms disappeared in 6 of 7 patients after interferon withdrawal. Onset of symptoms compatible with celiac disease during interferon therapy was significantly associated with the presence of anti-transglutaminase antibodies (OR 53). CONCLUSIONS: In hepatitis C patients, the activation of silent celiac disease during interferon treatment is almost universal and should be suspected, but it uncommonly requires interferon treatment discontinuation. Symptoms subside after interferon withdrawal.

Adult↗

Tissue transglutaminase autoantibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in detecting celiac disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Tissue transglutaminase has been reported to be the target for endomysial antibodies in celiac disease. We sought to establish whether immunoglobulin (Ig) A class tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies can be considered specific for celiac disease. METHODS: Serum samples from 136 patients with untreated celiac disease (diagnosed according to the criteria of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) and 207 disease controls were studied. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blots were performed using calcium-treated and untreated tissue transglutaminase as antigen. Reticulin, endomysial, and mouse monoclonal tissue transglutaminase antibodies were studied by an indirect immunofluorescence method and gliadin antibodies with ELISA. RESULTS: The calcium-activated tissue transglutaminase autoantibody ELISA was highly sensitive (129 of 136) and specific (194 of 207) in detecting celiac disease. The new autoantibody ELISA test correlated well with the endomysial antibody test. Tissue transglutaminase autoantibody ELISA showed a clearly better predictive potential than the IgA class gliadin antibody ELISA. Immunoblots and ELISA blocking studies showed that calcium is needed for the specific antigen-antibody reaction to occur. Double immunofluorescence staining in human umbilical cord with sera from patients with celiac disease and with monoclonal tissue transglutaminase antibodies showed complete overlap. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium-activated tissue transglutaminase autoantibody ELISA is highly accurate in detecting untreated celiac disease. Tissue transglutaminase seems to be the target self-antigen for endomysial antibodies.

Adolescent↗

[Measurement of stool composition in children with celiac disease using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy].

Celiac disease is a disorder caused by gluten-sensitivity which, when manifested in its classical digestive form, frequently presents a malabsorption syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the faecal composition in celiac children with malabsorption syndrome at the moment of diagnosis by using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy and to compare it with that of healthy children. Thirty children with biopsy-proven celiac disease and 86 age-matched control children were recruited in our study. Children collected 24 hour faecal specimens and the analyses of faeces, water, fat, nitrogen and sugar were performed using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Results show that celiac children daily eliminate a significantly greater quantity of water, fat, nitrogen and sugar than those in the control group. This might be due to the higher weight of faeces eliminated in the celiac group and, of course, to their celiac condition. Of all the nutrients, faecal fat is the substance which undergoes the greatest change, indicating that this nutrient continues to be the best parameter for dealing with patients with malabsorption syndrome. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy appears to be a useful tool for assessing stool composition in celiac disease.

English Abstract↗

Genome-wide linkage analysis of Scandinavian affected sib-pairs supports presence of susceptibility loci for celiac disease on chromosomes 5 and 11.

Celiac disease (CD) is a common chronic inflammatory disorder of the small intestine with a multifactorial aetiology. HLA is a well-known risk factor, but other genetic factors also influence disease susceptibility. To identify the genes involved in this disorder, we performed a genome-wide scan on 106 well-defined Swedish and Norwegian families with at least two affected siblings. We investigated familial segregation of 398 microsatellite markers, and utilised non-parametric linkage analysis. The strongest linkage with disease was found to the HLA locus (6p) (P<0.000006). There were eight regions besides HLA with a point wise P value below 0.05. Among these eight regions were 11q and 5q, both of which have been suggested in several linkage studies of independent celiac disease families. We also performed a stratification analysis of families according to their HLA genotypes. This resulted in significant differences on chromosome 2q. These results indicate that 11q, 5q and possibly also 2q are true susceptibility regions in CD.

Adolescent↗

Dermatitis herpetiformis and celiac disease associated with Addison's disease.

We treated two patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and Addison's disease, and one patient with celiac disease without the rash, but with Addison's disease and juvenile diabetes. In two of the patients, the concomitant diseases also included a thyroid disease. The predisposing factors to the multiple endocrine disorders in these patients with gluten-sensitive skin and/or small intestinal disease remained unknown. Two of the three patients had HLA-B8, none was known to have affected relatives, and the Addison's disease appeared before, at the same time, or after the patients contracted dermatitis herpetiformis or celiac disease.

Addison Disease↗

[Celiac disease: evaluation of compliance to gluten-free diet and knowledge of disease in patients registered at the Brazilian Celiac Association (ACA)].

BACKGROUND: The compliance to a gluten-free diet may prevent the development of both non-malignant and malignant complications. AIM: To evaluate compliance to a gluten-free diet and knowledge of the disease in celiac patients registered at the Brazilian Celiac Association (BCA). METHODS: A structured questionnaire was designed to assess compliance to a gluten-free diet as well as knowledge of the celiac disease. It was mailed to 584 members of BCA. RESULTS: Five hundred and twenty nine (90.6%) of a total of 534 (91.4%) answered questionnaires were analyzed; 69.4% were classified as compliant patients whereas 29.5% were classified as noncompliant. The proportion of patients age 21 or older who consume gluten frequently or without any restriction is larger (17.7%) than those who were younger than 21 years (9.9%). Frequency of dietary compliance was higher when the diagnosis had taken less than 5 years to be established; 82% of the patients replied that the small intestine was the part of the body affected by the disease. The most common symptoms of the disease according to the answers were diarrhea (96.6%), weight loss (93.4%), protuberant abdomen (90.4%), anemia (68.1%) and vomiting (59.6%). Only 59.0% agreed with the existence of genetic predisposition; 90.4% answered that the disease is permanent and 96.2% stated that the diet should exclude gluten absolutely; 67.1% answered that the gluten is a protein and according to 92.1% questionnaires this protein is present in wheat, rye, barley and oat. Greater compliance was observed when there was an understanding of the disease and diet. The small intestine biopsy was considered necessary for just 67.5% of the patients, and greater compliance was observed in patients who had undergone at least one small intestine biopsy. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the more the patients know and understand about the disease, the better able they are to comply with the diet.

Adolescent↗

Mucosal and systemic IgA anti-gliadin antibody in celiac disease. Contrasting patterns of response in serum, saliva, and intestinal secretions.

Serum IgA anti-gliadin antibody estimation is a recognized screening method for celiac disease. However, celiac disease is primarily a small intestinal mucosal disorder, and so we have examined the possibility that secreted, mucosal IgA anti-gliadin antibody might provide a more relevant measure of gluten sensitivity than that obtained from serum tests. Serum IgA anti-gliadin antibody and serum, salivary, and small intestinal aspirate IgA anti-gliadin antibody were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum IgA and IgG anti-gliadin antibody were markedly increased in untreated celiacs (N = 31) as compared to normals (N = 20) or disease controls (N = 39) (P less than 0.0001). Levels were lower in treated (N = 30) than untreated celiacs (P less than 0.001). In intestinal aspirates both untreated and treated patients had similar levels of IgA anti-gliadin antibody (P = 0.48), but both were significantly higher than in controls (P less than 0.01). Salivary IgA anti-gliadin antibody, by contrast, was not increased in celiac patients as compared to controls. Serum IgA anti-gliadin antibody was the most sensitive (84%) and specific (95%) test for detecting untreated celiac disease. It was also the most useful in patient follow-up where it provides an early objective indicator of adherence to a gluten-free diet. Mucosal IgA responses to gliadin in celiac disease appear to be compartmentalized, with different portions of the gastrointestinal tract functioning as separate immunological organs. Our results also demonstrate that serum and secretory IgA production are under independent control.

Adult↗

Comparison of assays for anti-endomysial and anti-transglutaminase antibodies for diagnosis of pediatric celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Anti-endomysial antibodies are sensitive and specific markers for celiac disease. This antibody has recently been identified as an antibody to tissue transglutaminase, an enzyme that cross-links and stabilizes extracellular matrix proteins. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of an enzyme-linked immunoassay for anti-transglutaminase antibodies, and to compare the results with those of AEA, the current gold standard serological test for celiac disease. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 33 patients with biopsy-proven celiac disease and AEA tests were performed. Control samples for anti-transglutaminase were obtained from 155 patients. An ELISA test for immunoglobulin A anti-transglutaminase utilizing guinea pig liver transglutaminase was developed and performed on all sera. Cutoff values for the test were performed using logistic regression and receiver operating curves analysis. RESULTS: An optical density cutoff value of 0.34 was established for the assay. The mean value was 0.18 +/- 0.19 optical density for controls, and 1.65 +/- 1.14 for patients with celiac disease (P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of the assay were both 90%, while AEA had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A tissue transglutaminase-based ELISA test is both sensitive and specific for detection of celiac disease.

Analysis of Variance↗

Association between panic disorder, major depressive disorder and celiac disease: a possible role of thyroid autoimmunity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between celiac disease and specific anxiety and depressive disorders and to identify potential common pathogenetic links, with particular regard to thyroid function and autoimmunity. METHODS: Cases included 36 adult celiac patients, 25 females and 11 males, aged 18-64 years. Controls comprised 144 healthy subjects matched by sex and age with no clinical evidence or family history of celiac disease. Diagnosis of celiac disease was made on the basis of clinical history and serological criteria. Psychiatric diagnoses were formulated using the International Composite Diagnostic Interview, according to DSM-IV criteria. Thyroid was evaluated by palpation, echography and measurement of serum-free thyroid hormones (FT4, FT3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and antithyroid autoantibodies (anti-TPO). RESULTS: Compared to controls, a significantly higher number of celiac patients met criteria for lifetime [15 (41.7%) versus 30 (29.8%), P < .01] and 6-month [7 (19.4%) versus 9 (6.2%), OR = 3.2, chi(2) = 5.2, P < .05] major depressive disorder (MDD) and lifetime [5 (13.9%) versus 3 (2.1%), P < .001] and 6-month [3 (8.1%) versus 2 (1.4%), P < .05] panic disorder (PD). Anti-TPO prevalence was significantly higher in celiac patients than in the control group (11/36 = 30.5% versus 14/144 = 9.7%, P < .001). A higher frequency of PD and MDD was found in celiac patients with positive anti-TPO when compared to negative anti-TPO patients (4/11 = 36.4% PD in TPO+ versus 1/25 = 4% PD in TPO-, P < .01; 9/11 = 81.8% MD in TPO+ versus 6/25 = 9.5% MD in TPO-, P < .01). CONCLUSION: Patients affected by celiac disease tend to show a high prevalence of PD and MDD and association with subclinical thyroid disease appears to represent a significant risk factor for these psychiatric disorders.

Adolescent↗

Gluten-free diet normalizes mouth-to-cecum transit of a caloric meal in adult patients with celiac disease.

The mechanisms responsible for bowel disturbances in celiac disease are still relatively unknown. Recent reports suggested that small bowel motor abnormalities may be involved in this pathological condition; however, there are no studies addressing small bowel transit in celiac disease before and after a gluten-free diet. We studied the mouth-to-cecum transit time of a caloric liquid meal in a homogeneous group of celiac patients presenting with clinical and biochemical evidence of malabsorption and complaining of diarrhea. Sixteen patients were recruited and investigated by means of hydrogen breath test through ingestion of 20 g lactulose together with an enteral gluten-free diet formula. A urinary D-xylose test was also done in each patient. Both breath tests and D-xylose tests were carried out basally and after a period of gluten-free diet. Twenty healthy volunteers were recruited as a control group and underwent the same breath testing. At the time of the diagnosis, mouth-to-cecum transit time was significantly prolonged in celiacs with respect to controls (243 +/- 10 vs 117 +/- 6 min, P = 0.0001). The D-xylose test was also abnormal (average urinary concentration 2.8 +/- 0.25 g, normal values >4.5). No correlation was found in patients between mouth-to-cecum transit time and urinary D-xylose output (r = 0.22). After the gluten-free diet period, mouth-to-cecum transit time in celiacs was significantly reduced compared to prediet transit (134 +/- 8 vs 243 +/- 10 min, P = 0.0001) and did not show statistical difference when compared to that found in controls (P = 0.1). The D-xylose test reverted to normal in all but two subjects, who were found to be noncompliant with the diet. Mouth-to-cecum transit time is significantly prolonged in patients affected by untreated celiac disease when compared to healthy controls. This alteration might not be correlated to intestinal malabsorption, and the prolonged orocecal transit could be due to impaired small bowel function (deranged motility?). Since intestinal transit returned to normal values after an adequate gluten-free period, a link with severe active mucosal lesions is suggestive.

Adult↗

Local challenge on oral mucosa with an alpha-gliadin related synthetic peptide in patients with celiac disease.

OBJECTIVE: Gluten-derived peptides (e.g., amino-acids 31-49 of alpha-gliadin) have been shown to cause changes typical of celiac disease in the gut. Gluten-derived peptides have mostly been used in in vitro studies. The easiest access to the gastrointestinal system may be the mouth. In the present study we were interested to see whether a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino-acids 31-49 of alpha-gliadin could induce inflammatory changes in the oral mucosa after a local challenge in celiac disease patients. METHODS: The challenge was made by injecting the peptide solution at a concentration of 10 microg/ml submucosally into the oral mucosa of 10 celiac disease patients after a gluten-free diet (GFD) and 12 healthy control subjects. B and CD45RO+ T cells, mast cells, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ lymphocytes, and alphabeta and gammadelta T-cell receptor-bearing (TcR alphabeta, TcR gammadelta) lymphocytes were counted and HLA DR expression was determined. The expression of CD25 and Ki-67 antigen was also examined. RESULTS: The peptide significantly increased the total number of T cells in the lamina propria of the celiac disease patients. The expression of T-cell activation marker CD25 (IL-2 receptor), but not that of cell proliferation marker Ki-67, was also significantly increased in the lamina propria after peptide challenge. Such a reaction was not observed in the controls. The numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells in the lamina propria were also increased in celiac disease patients after the challenge. The count of TcR gammadelta+ cells was very small in the oral mucosa in celiac disease and showed no increase when the oral mucosa was challenged with the peptide. The expression of HLA DR staining was enhanced after the submucosal peptide challenge in celiac disease; however, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that in the celiac disease patients after the peptide challenge the oral mucosal lamina propria responds with a nonproliferative increase of lymphocytes. Thus, submucosal challenge with the peptide 31-49 can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of celiac disease. However, further studies with optimized methodology, including various concentrations of the peptide, adjuvants, other peptides, etc., are warranted, especially because the oral mucosa provides the easiest access to an in vivo peptide challenge in celiac disease.

Adult↗

Body composition in children with celiac disease and the effects of a gluten-free diet: a prospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Celiac disease is the most common cause of malnutrition in children of Western countries. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to measure body composition in children at the time celiac disease was diagnosed and after consumption of a gluten-free diet (GFD). DESIGN: We assessed body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 29 children and adolescents with a mean (+/-SD) age of 9.5 +/- 3.4 y at the time celiac disease was diagnosed and in a subset of 20 patients after 1.2 +/- 0.2 y of a GFD. We also studied 23 patients aged 21.2 +/- 4.6 y who consumed a GFD for 10.6 +/- 4.5 y. Each patient was matched with a healthy control subject of the same age and sex. RESULTS: Untreated patients weighed less than control subjects (P = 0.04). Fat mass and bone mineral content were lower in the patients than in the control subjects (P < 0.01), as was lean mass of the limbs (P = 0.0013). After approximately 1 y of the GFD, there were no significant differences in body-composition values between patients and control subjects. Similarly, body-composition values of celiac disease patients who consumed the GFD long term were comparable with those of healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Remarkable abnormalities in body composition were found in children at the time of diagnosis of celiac disease. Appropriate dietary treatment reverses body-composition abnormalities quickly and the beneficial effects of gluten withdrawal are persistent. Because these results are harder to achieve if celiac disease is first diagnosed in adulthood, efforts to encourage early diagnosis of celiac disease should be made.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗