Antroduodenojejunal motor activity in untreated and treated celiac disease patients.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with celiac disease may present with abnormal upper gut motor activity. However, it is not known if these abnormalities persist after the introduction of a gluten-free diet. The present study aimed to compare antroduodenojejunal motor variables recorded in untreated celiac patients with those of celiac patients given a gluten-free diet and healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Eleven untreated celiac disease patients, 12 age- and sex-matched celiac patients on a gluten-free diet (at least 12 months), and 33 controls entered the study. Antroduodenojejunal motility was recorded for 6 h during fasting and for 3 h after a standard meal by means of a perfused, multiple lumen catheter.


RESULTS
More than 80% of untreated celiac patients had discrete motor abnormalities of the upper gut, in both fasting and fed recordings, compared to the other subjects. Patients on a gluten-free diet also showed motor abnormalities, albeit to a lesser extent. In these patients histological evaluation showed the persistence of mild mucosal abnormalities.


CONCLUSIONS
Upper gut motor abnormalities are frequent in patients with celiac disease, even in those on a gluten-free diet. In the latter group, these abnormalities may suggest an incomplete adherence to the dietary regimen.
Bassotti
Gabrio
G
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Villanacci
Vincenzo
V
Mazzocchi
Alessandro
A
Mariano
Marina
M
Incardona
Paolo
P
Clerici
Carlo
C
Morelli
Antonio
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted; D004384:Duodenoscopy; D004386:Duodenum / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011312:Pressure; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires