H. Thornquist et al., CELIAC-DISEASE AND GLUTEN-FREE DIET - A FOLLOWING-UP STUDY OF 15 YOUNG-ADULTS, Annals of nutrition & metabolism, 37(6), 1993, pp. 295-301
Fifteen patients with coeliac disease diagnosed in infancy and early c
hildhood between 1959 and 1971 were included in the study. The primary
diagnosis was made on the basis of typical symptoms and signs, stool
examination for fat, xylose test and clinical and laboratory improveme
nt after introduction of gluten-free diet. All patients were challenge
d with gluten for a minimum of 4 weeks to 4 years before a peroral pro
ximal jejunal biopsy was performed between 1973 and 1976. The biopsy s
pecimen showed changes consistent with coeliac disease in all patients
. Gluten-free diet induced again clinical recovery and was recommended
as a life-long diet. The patients were reinvestigated after 15-18 yea
rs (mean 17 years) and 13 biopsies were evaluated. Five of these biops
y specimens showed variable histopathological changes. Only 5 patients
were still on a strict gluten-free diet. There was no correlation bet
ween the presence of gastro-intestinal symptoms and abnormal biopsies.
All patients had haematological tests within the normal range. Anti-g
liadin IgA levels above the upper normal limit were found in 2 out of
3 patients with grade IV histopathological changes in the mucosa, and
in 1 of the patients on a normal diet who refused to have a biopsy per
formed. The patients' knowledge of their disease was evaluated, and su
itable follow-up programs for coeliac patients are discussed.