title: Management of Nonceliac Gluten Sensitivity by Gastroenterology Specialists: Data from an Italian Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nonceliac gluten sensitivity is syndrome characterized by symptoms disappearing after a gluten-free diet. Its existence is still argument of discussion among specialists. Our aim was to evaluate the knowledge about nonceliac gluten sensitivity among gastroenterology specialists.
  
  
  METHODS
  During October 2013 a questionnaire was sent through a medical newsletter to Italian gastroenterologists. Twelve questions investigated their knowledge on nonceliac gluten sensitivity, including their diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 212 gastroenterologists filled in the questionnaire. The 98.6% were aware of the existence of a syndrome called "nonceliac gluten sensitivity" and 77% believe in its existence. However, only 56% gave a correct definition of the term. The majority of specialists diagnosed gluten sensitive patients and the number of diagnoses was not statistically different from that of celiac disease. Moreover, a gluten-free diet was prescribed by 64% of the specialists and among them the 73% noted an increase of gluten sensitive patients attending their outpatient services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study indicated that most of the specialists recognize nonceliac gluten sensitivity and prescribe gluten-free diet, although 44% of the specialists are not able to give its correct definition; underlining the necessity of medical education on this topic is needed.
authors.affiliation: Center for The Prevention and Diagnosis of Celiac Disease, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20100 Milan, Italy ; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via F. Sforza 35, 20100 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Branchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via F. Sforza 35, 20100 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via F. Sforza 35, 20100 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Norsa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via F. Sforza 35, 20100 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Leda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roncoroni
authors.affiliation: Center for The Prevention and Diagnosis of Celiac Disease, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20100 Milan, Italy ; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via F. Sforza 35, 20100 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.affiliation: Center for The Prevention and Diagnosis of Celiac Disease, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20100 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Bardella
authors.affiliation: Center for The Prevention and Diagnosis of Celiac Disease, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20100 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elli
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005983:Glutens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy
chemical_list: D005983:Glutens