Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Non-celiac wheat sensitivity: rationality and irrationality of a gluten-free diet in individuals affected with non-celiac disease: a review.

BMC gastroenterology
January 1, 1970
Consolato Sergi et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to summarize recent advances in understanding non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS), focusing on clinical and etiological controversies, diagnostic criteria, and histological aspects.

Results Summary

The study found that NCWS diagnosis relies on symptom improvement with a gluten-free diet and symptom reappearance after gluten challenge, though the condition's etiology remains unclear. The Salerno criteria may aid accurate diagnosis, but self-labeling via social media complicates the process.

Population

Individuals with non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) after excluding celiac disease and wheat allergy.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Limited period (not specified)

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (3)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
removal of wheat-containing foodstuff from the diet
decrease
intestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms
patients with non-celiac gluten or wheat sensitivity (NCWS)
-
improve
#1
gluten-free diet
decrease
symptoms
patients with non-celiac gluten or wheat sensitivity (NCWS)
-
positive response
#2
gluten challenge
increase
symptoms
patients with non-celiac gluten or wheat sensitivity (NCWS)
-
reappearance
#3
Abstract

Non-celiac gluten or wheat sensitivity (NCWS) is a "clinical entity induced by the ingestion of wheat leading to intestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms that improve once the wheat-containing foodstuff is removed from the diet, and celiac disease and wheat allergy have been excluded". This mostly accepted definition raises several points that remain controversial on this condition. In the present review, the authors summarize the most recent advances in the clinic and research on NCWS through an accurate analysis of different studies. We screened PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Scopus using the keywords "non-celiac gluten sensitivity", "non-celiac wheat sensitivity", and "diagnosis". We would like to emphasize two main points, including (A) the controversial clinical and etiological aspects in different trials and experiences with particular attention to the Salerno criteria for the diagnosis of NCWS and (B) the histological aspects. The etiology of NCWS remains controversial, and the relationship with irritable bowel syndrome is obscure. Histologically, the duodenal mucosa may show a variable pattern from unremarkable to a slight increase in the number of T lymphocytes in the superficial epithelium of villi. The endorsement of this disease is based on a positive response to a gluten-free diet for a limited period, followed by the reappearance of symptoms after gluten challenge. The Salerno expert criteria may help to diagnose NCWS accurately. Social media and inaccurate interpretation of websites may jeopardize the diagnostic process if individuals self-label as gluten intolerant.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Celiac DiseaseDiet, Gluten-FreeGlutensHumansIrritable Bowel SyndromeWheat Hypersensitivity
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations31
Citations/Year7.8
Relative Citation Ratio3.31
NIH Percentile86.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.80
Normalized Score0.66
Related Supplements