Definition of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity
Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) presents with non-specific symptoms that occur both intestinally and extra-intestinally and resemble the symptoms of coeliac disease or wheat allergy. Diagnosis is made based on the response to a gluten-free diet, after coeliac disease and wheat allergy have been ruled out.
There is a group of patients who respond to the consumption of food containing gluten with symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue, headaches, rashes, or mental confusion ("foggy mind"). However, neither coeliac disease nor wheat allergy is present in these instances. When these patients avoid gluten, their symptoms improve within a few weeks; when they are re-exposed to gluten the symptoms return. Whether the gluten or some other component of wheat is actually responsible for the reactions is currently the subject of debate in the scientific community. The focus is not just on gluten, it also includes amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATI) and FODMAPs. For this reason, some experts in this field may refer to NCGS more broadly as non-coeliac wheat sensitivity.
Differences in comparison to coeliac disease and wheat allergy
All three gluten-related disorders - NCGS, coeliac disease and wheat allergy - have similar symptoms and are therefore easily confused. However, there are differences, e.g. in terms of reaction times and pathogenesis. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune enteropathy caused by gluten. Wheat allergy is an IgE-mediated response to wheat. Although people with NCGS develop symptoms similar to those observed in coeliac disease after eating food containing gluten, the clinical picture is generally less severe and it is not possible to determine auto-antibodies, anti-tissue-transglutaminases or autoimmune concomitant diseases. In contrast to coeliac disease patients, patients with NCGS exhibit little histological change or only lesions in the small intestine mucosa, which corresponds to 0 - 1 on the Marsh scale.
Overview of how to distinguish between coeliac disease, NCGS and wheat allergy
Coeliac disease | Gluten sensitivity | Wheat allergy | |
---|---|---|---|
Period between exposure to gluten and onset of symptoms | Weeks to years | Hours to days | Immediate reaction: a few hours Delayed reaction: a few hours to two days |
Pathogenesis | Autoimmune (congenital + adaptive immunity) | Currently unclear immunological reaction | IgE formation and IgE-mediated mediator release |
HLA | HLA DQ2/8 (approx. 95% of cases) |
Unclear | - |
Autoantibodies | Positive (high sensitivity and specificity) | Negative (except anti-gliadin antibodies IgA and/or IgG) |
Positive |
Enteropathy | Typical | Missing; occasionally IEL slightly elevated (Marsh 0-1) | Missing |
Symptoms | Intestinal and extra-intestinal | Intestinal and extra-intestinal | Intestinal and extra-intestinal |
Complications | Concomitant diseases, long-term complications | No concomitant diseases, long-term complications unknown | No concomitant diseases |
Therapy | Long-term implementation of a gluten-free diet is necessary Persons with coeliac disease may must avoid foods containing gluten, even those that contain only traces of gluten, for their entire life |
The gluten-free diet may be for a limited time The minimum time frame should be no less than one or two years The tolerance threshold of patients with NCGS varies, i.e. gluten intake must be adjusted individually |
Temporary avoidance of wheat-based foods is sometimes sufficient Administration of cortisone may be necessary |
Overview of gluten-related diseases
Overview of gluten-related diseases from wheat allergy and coeliac disease to gluten sensitivity
Overview of gluten-related diseases from wheat allergy and coeliac disease to gluten sensitivity
Other chapters in the field of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity:
Further information on this topic
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Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity Booklet
This resource provides healthcare professionals with a detailed overview of the current scientific evidence and understanding regarding non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Definition, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are amongst the topics covered as well as a number of practical case studies presented from expert clinicians in this field.
The new frontier of gluten-related disorders: Full Report from the 2nd Expert Meeting on Non-coeliac Gluten Sensitivity
This report, published in the journal ‘Nutrients’ evaluates and discusses major advances and current trends in non-coeliac gluten-sensitivity (NCGS) as well as areas where further research is required. It is the result of The Second Expert Meeting on Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity which brought a panel of international experts together to discuss the evidence on gluten sensitivity, held in December 2012.
Short Report: Expert Meeting on Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity 2012
Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity. What precisely is this and what diagnosis criteria can be defined? Around 30 international experts discussed these questions in December 2012. A short report of the meeting is presented here.
Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity Booklet
This resource provides healthcare professionals with a detailed overvi...
The new frontier of gluten-related disorders: Full Report from the 2nd Expert Meeting on Non-coeliac Gluten Sensitivity
This report, published in the journal ‘Nutrients’ evaluates and discus...
Short Report: Expert Meeting on Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity 2012
Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity. What precisely is this and what diagno...
Coeliac Disease and Gluten Related Disorders in Russia and Former Soviet Republics (2015)
Elena Roslavtseva, MD, Ph.D.
Scientific Center for Children’s Health, Moscow
16th International Coeliac Disease Symposium 2015 in Prague
Pre-Conference Workshop on Gluten Sensitivity "The Evolving Planet of Gluten Related Disorders"
Scientific Center for Children’s Health, Moscow
16th International Coeliac Disease Symposium 2015 in Prague
Pre-Conference Workshop on Gluten Sensitivity "The Evolving Planet of Gluten Related Disorders"
Pre Conference Workshop on Gluten Sensitivity (2013)
Alessio Fasano, M.D.
Medical Director
Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center and Center for Celiac Research
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston MA, USA
15. International Celiac Disease Symposium in Chicago between the 22nd and 25th September 2013
Medical Director
Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center and Center for Celiac Research
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston MA, USA
15. International Celiac Disease Symposium in Chicago between the 22nd and 25th September 2013
Coeliac Disease and Gluten Related Disorders in Russia and Former Soviet Republics (2015)
Elena Roslavtseva, MD, Ph.D.
Scientific Center for Children’s Health,...
Pre Conference Workshop on Gluten Sensitivity (2013)
Alessio Fasano, M.D.
Medical Director
Mucosal Immunology and Biology...
Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity in Adult & Paediatric Patients
Professor Carlo Catassi
Gastroenterologist Pediatrician
Department of Pediatrics
Università Politecnica delle Marche
60123 Ancona, Italy
At the Expert Meeting 2014 in Salerno, Italy.
Gastroenterologist Pediatrician
Department of Pediatrics
Università Politecnica delle Marche
60123 Ancona, Italy
At the Expert Meeting 2014 in Salerno, Italy.
Gluten Sensitivity – Definition, Symptoms and Differences to Coeliac Disease
International Expert Meeting on Gluten Sensitivity 2012 in Munich, Germany
New Insights from the Second Expert Meeting on Gluten Sensitivity
International Expert Meeting on Gluten Sensitivity 2012 in Munich, Germany
Key Messages for Healthcare Professionals on Gluten Sensitivity
International Expert Meeting on Gluten Sensitivity 2012 in Munich, Germany
Management of Gluten Sensitivity: the Role of the Gluten-Free Diet
International Expert Meeting on Gluten Sensitivity 2012 in Munich, Germany
Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity in Adult & Paediatric Patients
Professor Carlo Catassi
Gastroenterologist Pediatrician
Department o...
Gluten Sensitivity – Definition, Symptoms and Differences to Coeliac Disease
International Expert Meeting on Gluten Sensitivity 2012 in Munich, Ger...
New Insights from the Second Expert Meeting on Gluten Sensitivity
International Expert Meeting on Gluten Sensitivity 2012 in Munich, Ger...
Key Messages for Healthcare Professionals on Gluten Sensitivity
International Expert Meeting on Gluten Sensitivity 2012 in Munich, Ger...
Management of Gluten Sensitivity: the Role of the Gluten-Free Diet
International Expert Meeting on Gluten Sensitivity 2012 in Munich, Ger...
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