The Overlap between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: A Clinical Dilemma.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the overlap in symptoms between gluten-related disorders (celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as the potential benefits of a gluten-free diet for these conditions.
Results Summary
The study found that while a gluten-free diet is the treatment for non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), some IBS patients also improve on this diet. The pathogenesis of NCGS is likely heterogeneous, involving factors like low-grade intestinal inflammation, altered intestinal barrier function, and microbiota changes, with innate immunity playing a key role.
Population
Individuals with gluten-related disorders (celiac disease, NCGS, wheat allergy) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
exclusion of gluten from the diet | neutral | non-celiac gluten sensitivity | patients with NCGS | - | is the treatment | #1 |
gluten-free diet | decrease | symptoms | some, but not all, of the patients with IBS | - | improve on | #2 |
The spectrum of gluten-related disorders has widened in recent times and includes celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy. The complex of symptoms associated with these diseases, such as diarrhea, constipation or abdominal pain may overlap for the gluten related diseases, and furthermore they can be similar to those caused by various other intestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The mechanisms underlying symptom generation are diverse for all these diseases. Some patients with celiac disease may remain asymptomatic or have only mild gastrointestinal symptoms and thus may qualify for the diagnosis of IBS in the general clinical practice. Similarly, the overlap of symptoms between IBS and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) often creates a dilemma for clinicians. While the treatment of NCGS is exclusion of gluten from the diet, some, but not all, of the patients with IBS also improve on a gluten-free diet. Both IBS and NCGS are common in the general population and both can coexist with each other independently without necessarily sharing a common pathophysiological basis. Although the pathogenesis of NCGS is not well understood, it is likely to be heterogeneous with possible contributing factors such as low-grade intestinal inflammation, increased intestinal barrier function and changes in the intestinal microbiota. Innate immunity may also play a pivotal role. One possible inducer of innate immune response has recently been reported to be amylase-trypsin inhibitor, a protein present in wheat endosperm and the source of flour, along with the gluten proteins.