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International Expert Meeting on Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity

The Dr. Schär Institute supports the organisation of regular expert meetings as a platform for international independent scientists and healthcare professionals to debate and reach consensus on the current state of research in the field of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
The first International Expert Meeting on Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, took place in London in February 2011. The aim was to reach a consensus on the definition of gluten sensitivity and to promote further research in this field. Since the first meeting, other international expert meetings have taken place to discuss the current state of research, reflect on new findings, and finally to create and publish a position paper on the subject of NCGS. The focus of the first meeting was primarily to develop a diagnostic algorithm to distinguish between the three gluten-related diseases of coeliac disease, wheat allergy and gluten sensitivity. The focus of the second Expert Meeting was the nomenclature and exact definition of gluten sensitivity. At this meeting, the participants agreed on the designation "non-celiac gluten sensitivity", which continues to be the term used internationally.

International Expert Meeting 2014

The focus of the 3rd and most recent international expert meeting was the development of a standardised diagnostic protocol. The method aims to confirm the diagnosis of NCGS using a uniform two-stage dietary process.

Since there are still no biomarkers available to support the diagnosis of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), the focus of recent expert meetings has been the subject of diagnosis. The healthcare professionals, scientists and nutrition experts present concluded that standardised dietary procedures are the current recommended diagnostic tool of choice. They developed a diagnostic protocol that can be used both for diagnostic purposes in medical practice and for more detailed research into NCGS in clinical studies.

Two-stage diagnostic protocol
The two-stage procedure for confirming NCGS stipulates that the response to a gluten-free diet should be assessed and the effect of the reintroduction of gluten should be measured. Before starting the dietary procedure, the patient should follow a normal diet, i.e. one containing gluten. A questionnaire to be completed by the patient includes a modified version of the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS), which makes it possible to assess common gastrointestinal symptoms. Furthermore, it also lists extraintestinal symptoms, which too should be assessed according to their severity on a scale of 1 to 10.

Further information on this topic

Expert interviews 1

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How do nutrition professionals perceive NCGS?

Professor Carlo Catassi
Gastroenterologist Pediatrician
Department of Pediatrics
Università Politecnica delle Marche
60123 Ancona, Italy

At the Expert Meeting 2014 in Salerno, Italy.
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