Functional Gastrointestinal Symptoms Are Associated with Higher Serum Total IgE Levels, but Less Atopic Sensitization.
BACKGROUND
The relation of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints to IgE-mediated allergy is not well understood. Increased numbers of "IgE-armed" mast cells have been observed in duodenal mucosa of patients with functional GI complaints.


OBJECTIVE
To explore whether total IgE and atopic sensitization were associated with functional GI complaints.


METHODS
Levels of serum total and specific IgE and GI complaints were measured in 161 patients and in a general population sample of 478 persons. Standard inhalant allergens were measured in the patient group, and selected inhalant allergens in the general population. GI complaints were assessed by two standardized questionnaires. The associations between GI complaints and total IgE were analyzed in multiple regression models.


RESULTS
GI complaints were positively associated with higher total IgE levels (all: b = 0.028, p = 0.012; patient group: b = 0.038, p = 0.072; general population: b = 0.038, p = 0.005), but negatively associated with atopic sensitization (all: b = -11.256, p = 0.181; patient group: b = -85.667, p < 0.001; general population: b = -14.394, p = 0.083). The relationship between total IgE and GI complaints was consistent among sensitized and non-sensitized persons, among men and women, and across age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum total IgE was positively associated with GI complaints, while atopic sensitization was inversely associated with GI complaints. This suggests that IgE-mediated immunology plays a role in the pathophysiology of functional GI complaints. The biological mechanisms reflected in higher total IgE levels, but less atopic sensitization, warrant further studies.
Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. ellenj_v@hotmail.com.|Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021, Bergen, Norway. ellenj_v@hotmail.com.
Ellen Johanne
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6875-1677
EJ
Vara
Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.|Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Cecilie
C
Svanes
Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Trude D
TD
Skorge
Section for Clinical Allergology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Aud
A
Berstad
Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.|Section for Clinical Allergology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Erik
E
Florvaag
Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK.
Debbie
D
Jarvis
Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.|Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Ernst
E
Omenaas
Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Marie
M
Waatevik
Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Ane
A
Johannessen
Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.|Section for Clinical Allergology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.|Section of Gastroenterology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Gülen Arslan
GA
Lied
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015854:Up-Regulation; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens; D015415:Biomarkers; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
Atopic sensitization; ECRHS; Functional gastrointestinal disorders; Irritable bowel disease; Mast cells; Total IgE