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Gynaecological Disorders in Not-celiac Wheat Sensitivity

Primary Purpose

Non-celiac Wheat Sensitivity

Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
Italy
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Gluten free diet
Sponsored by
University of Palermo
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional other trial for Non-celiac Wheat Sensitivity focused on measuring Non-celiac Wheat Sensitivity, gynaecological disorders, gluten-free diet

Eligibility Criteria

15 Years - 65 Years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)FemaleDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

To diagnose NCWS the recently proposed criteria will be adopted. All the patients will meet the following criteria:

  • negative serum anti-transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and anti-endomysium (EmA) immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG antibodies
  • absence of intestinal villous atrophy
  • negative IgE-mediated immune-allergy tests to wheat (skin prick tests and/or serum specific IgE detection)
  • resolution of the IBS symptoms on standard elimination diet, excluding wheat, cow's milk, egg, tomato, chocolate, and other self-reported food(s) causing symptoms
  • symptom reappearance on double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) wheat challenge. As the investigators previously described in other studies, DBPC cow's milk protein challenge and other "open" food challenges will be performed too.

To diagnose CD the standard criteria will be adopted. All the patients will meet the following criteria:

  • positive serum anti-transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and anti-endomysium (EmA) immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG antibodies
  • presence of intestinal villous atrophy.

To diagnose IBS the standard Rome II (for retrospective patients) and Rome III (for prospective patients) Criteria will be adopted. None of these subjects improved on an elimination diet without wheat, cow's milk, egg, tomato, or chocolate.

Exclusion Criteria:

For NCWS diagnosis it will be evaluated the following exclusion criteria:

  • positive EmA in the culture medium of the duodenal biopsies, also in the case of normal villi/crypts ratio in the duodenal mucosa
  • self-exclusion of wheat from the diet and refusal to reintroduce it before entering the study
  • other previously diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders
  • other previously diagnosed gynaecological disorders
  • nervous system disease and/or major psychiatric disorder
  • physical impairment limiting physical activity.

Sites / Locations

  • Department of Internal Medicine, Giovanni Paolo II Hospital of Sciacca
  • Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Palermo

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm 3

Arm 4

Arm 5

Arm 6

Arm Type

Active Comparator

Active Comparator

Active Comparator

Active Comparator

Active Comparator

Active Comparator

Arm Label

1. NCWS retrospective patients

2. CD retrospective control patients

3. IBS retrospective control patients

4. NCWS prospective patients

5. CD prospective control patients

6. IBS prospective control patients

Arm Description

The clinical charts of NCWS female patients attending the outpatient centers of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University Hospital of Palermo and the Department of Internal Medicine of the Hospital of Sciacca will be reviewed with a retrospective method. They had all been diagnosed with NCWS between January 2001 and June 2011 and included in a previously published study. These charts included specific sections for associated gynaecological disorders. Incomplete clinical charts will be excluded. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.

To compare the presence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients, a control group of CD female patients had been randomly chosen by a computer-generated method from female patients diagnosed during the same period (2001-2011) and age- (+2 years) matched with the NCWS female patients. Similar to NCWS patients, also this control group was asked for gynaecological disorders and the answers reported in the patients clinical charts. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.

To compare the presence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients, a control group of IBS female patients had been randomly chosen by a computer-generated method from female subjects diagnosed during the same period (2001-2011) and age- (+2 years) matched with the NCWS female patients. Similar to NCWS patients, also this control group was asked for gynaecological disorders and the answers reported in the patients clinical charts. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.

The investigators prospectively will survey adult female patients with functional gastroenterological symptoms according to the Rome III criteria, and a suspected diagnosis of NCWS. The patients will be recruited between January 2017 and January 2018 at the same 2 centers. Most of the patients will be referred owing to gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, the onset of which, they reported, could be related to wheat ingestion. In addition, patients will be asked about the presence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders using an ad hoc questionnaire. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.

To compare the presence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients, a control group of CD female patients will be randomly chosen by a computer-generated method from female subjects diagnosed during the same period (2017-2018) and age- (+2 years) matched with the NCWS female patients. Similar to NCWS patients, also this control group will be asked for gynaecological disorders and the answers reported in the patients clinical charts. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.

To compare the presence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients, a control group of IBS female patients will be randomly chosen by a computer-generated method from female subjects diagnosed during the same period (2017-2018) and age- (+2 years) matched with the NCWS female patients. Similar to NCWS patients, also this control group will be asked for gynaecological disorders and the answers reported in the patients clinical charts. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients at baseline
Prevalence of gynaecological disorders in retrospective and prospective NCWS female patients, compared to retrospective and prospective CD and IBS female patients.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients after gluten-free diet.
Gynaecological disorders evaluation after at least 6 months of gluten-free diet after the NCWS diagnosis, by visual analogic scales, specific questionnaire, and clinical examination, both in retrospective and prospective NCWS female patients.
Pap smear in NCWS female patients after gluten-free diet.
PAP smear after at least 6 months of gluten-free diet after the NCWS diagnosis, both in retrospective and prospective NCWS female patients.

Full Information

First Posted
December 30, 2016
Last Updated
September 27, 2021
Sponsor
University of Palermo
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT03027492
Brief Title
Gynaecological Disorders in Not-celiac Wheat Sensitivity
Official Title
Gynaecological Disorders in Patients With Not-celiac Wheat Sensitivity
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
September 2021
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
January 1, 2001 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
July 1, 2021 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
July 31, 2021 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Principal Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
University of Palermo

4. Oversight

Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
In the last few years, a new clinical entity has emerged which includes patients who consider themselves to be suffering from problems caused by wheat and/or gluten ingestion, even though they do not have celiac disease (CD) or wheat allergy. This clinical condition has been named non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), although in a recent article, the investigators suggested the term "non-celiac wheat sensitivity" (NCWS), because it is not known to date what component of wheat actually causes the symptoms. The clinical picture of NCWS is characterized by combined gastrointestinal (bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation, nausea, epigastric pain, gastroesophageal reflux, aphthous stomatitis) and very different extra-intestinal and systemic manifestations (headache, depression, anxiety, 'foggy mind,' tiredness, dermatitis or skin rash, fibromyalgia-like joint/muscle pain, leg or arm numbness, and anemia). Nowadays, there no data about a possible relationship between gynaecological disorders and food ingestion and food allergy/intolerance. Therefore, the aims of the present study are to investigate 1) the prevalence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders in NCWS patients compared to CD and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) controls, and 2) the modification of such disorders in NCWS patients after a gluten (wheat)-free diet.
Detailed Description
In the last few years, a new clinical entity has emerged which includes patients who consider themselves to be suffering from problems caused by wheat and/or gluten ingestion, even though they do not have CD or wheat allergy. This clinical condition has been named non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), although in a recent article, the investigators suggested the term "non-celiac wheat sensitivity" (NCWS), because it is not known to date what component of wheat actually causes the symptoms. Other areas of doubt in NCWS regard its pathogenesis, while some papers reported intestinal immunologic activation, others linked NCWS to the dietary short chain carbohydrate (fermentable oligo-di-monosaccharides and polyols, FODMAPs) load. The investigators recently demonstrated that higher proportions of patients with NCWS develop autoimmune disorders, are antinuclear antibodies (ANA) positive, and show DQ2/DQ8 haplotypes compared with patients with IBS, supporting an immunologic involvement in NCWS. The clinical picture of NCWS is characterized by combined gastrointestinal (bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation, nausea, epigastric pain, gastroesophageal reflux, aphthous stomatitis) and very different extra-intestinal and systemic manifestations (headache, depression, anxiety, 'foggy mind,' tiredness, dermatitis or skin rash, fibromyalgia-like joint/muscle pain, leg or arm numbness, and anemia). Nowadays, there no data about a possible relationship between gynaecological disorders (i.e. menstrual cycle alterations, vaginitis, recurrent vulvovaginitis, recurrent cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, recurrent pregnancy loss, infertility) and food ingestion and food allergy/intolerance. Therefore, the aims of the present study are to investigate 1) the prevalence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders in NCWS patients compared to CD and IBS controls, and 2) the modification of such disorders in NCWS patients after a gluten (wheat)-free diet.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Non-celiac Wheat Sensitivity
Keywords
Non-celiac Wheat Sensitivity, gynaecological disorders, gluten-free diet

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Other
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
150 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
1. NCWS retrospective patients
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
The clinical charts of NCWS female patients attending the outpatient centers of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University Hospital of Palermo and the Department of Internal Medicine of the Hospital of Sciacca will be reviewed with a retrospective method. They had all been diagnosed with NCWS between January 2001 and June 2011 and included in a previously published study. These charts included specific sections for associated gynaecological disorders. Incomplete clinical charts will be excluded. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.
Arm Title
2. CD retrospective control patients
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
To compare the presence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients, a control group of CD female patients had been randomly chosen by a computer-generated method from female patients diagnosed during the same period (2001-2011) and age- (+2 years) matched with the NCWS female patients. Similar to NCWS patients, also this control group was asked for gynaecological disorders and the answers reported in the patients clinical charts. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.
Arm Title
3. IBS retrospective control patients
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
To compare the presence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients, a control group of IBS female patients had been randomly chosen by a computer-generated method from female subjects diagnosed during the same period (2001-2011) and age- (+2 years) matched with the NCWS female patients. Similar to NCWS patients, also this control group was asked for gynaecological disorders and the answers reported in the patients clinical charts. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.
Arm Title
4. NCWS prospective patients
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
The investigators prospectively will survey adult female patients with functional gastroenterological symptoms according to the Rome III criteria, and a suspected diagnosis of NCWS. The patients will be recruited between January 2017 and January 2018 at the same 2 centers. Most of the patients will be referred owing to gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, the onset of which, they reported, could be related to wheat ingestion. In addition, patients will be asked about the presence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders using an ad hoc questionnaire. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.
Arm Title
5. CD prospective control patients
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
To compare the presence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients, a control group of CD female patients will be randomly chosen by a computer-generated method from female subjects diagnosed during the same period (2017-2018) and age- (+2 years) matched with the NCWS female patients. Similar to NCWS patients, also this control group will be asked for gynaecological disorders and the answers reported in the patients clinical charts. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.
Arm Title
6. IBS prospective control patients
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
To compare the presence and characteristics of gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients, a control group of IBS female patients will be randomly chosen by a computer-generated method from female subjects diagnosed during the same period (2017-2018) and age- (+2 years) matched with the NCWS female patients. Similar to NCWS patients, also this control group will be asked for gynaecological disorders and the answers reported in the patients clinical charts. All the patients will be evaluated at baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and after at least a 6-months period of gluten-free diet.
Intervention Type
Other
Intervention Name(s)
Gluten free diet
Intervention Description
The investigators will evaluate the modification of gynaecological disorder after a gluten (wheat)-free diet.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients at baseline
Description
Prevalence of gynaecological disorders in retrospective and prospective NCWS female patients, compared to retrospective and prospective CD and IBS female patients.
Time Frame
Up to 200 months
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Gynaecological disorders in NCWS female patients after gluten-free diet.
Description
Gynaecological disorders evaluation after at least 6 months of gluten-free diet after the NCWS diagnosis, by visual analogic scales, specific questionnaire, and clinical examination, both in retrospective and prospective NCWS female patients.
Time Frame
Change from baseline at 6 months of gluten-free diet
Title
Pap smear in NCWS female patients after gluten-free diet.
Description
PAP smear after at least 6 months of gluten-free diet after the NCWS diagnosis, both in retrospective and prospective NCWS female patients.
Time Frame
Change from baseline at 6 months of gluten-free diet

10. Eligibility

Sex
Female
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
15 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
65 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: To diagnose NCWS the recently proposed criteria will be adopted. All the patients will meet the following criteria: negative serum anti-transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and anti-endomysium (EmA) immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG antibodies absence of intestinal villous atrophy negative IgE-mediated immune-allergy tests to wheat (skin prick tests and/or serum specific IgE detection) resolution of the IBS symptoms on standard elimination diet, excluding wheat, cow's milk, egg, tomato, chocolate, and other self-reported food(s) causing symptoms symptom reappearance on double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) wheat challenge. As the investigators previously described in other studies, DBPC cow's milk protein challenge and other "open" food challenges will be performed too. To diagnose CD the standard criteria will be adopted. All the patients will meet the following criteria: positive serum anti-transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and anti-endomysium (EmA) immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG antibodies presence of intestinal villous atrophy. To diagnose IBS the standard Rome II (for retrospective patients) and Rome III (for prospective patients) Criteria will be adopted. None of these subjects improved on an elimination diet without wheat, cow's milk, egg, tomato, or chocolate. Exclusion Criteria: For NCWS diagnosis it will be evaluated the following exclusion criteria: positive EmA in the culture medium of the duodenal biopsies, also in the case of normal villi/crypts ratio in the duodenal mucosa self-exclusion of wheat from the diet and refusal to reintroduce it before entering the study other previously diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders other previously diagnosed gynaecological disorders nervous system disease and/or major psychiatric disorder physical impairment limiting physical activity.
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Antonio Carroccio, PhD
Organizational Affiliation
University of Palermo
Official's Role
Study Director
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Department of Internal Medicine, Giovanni Paolo II Hospital of Sciacca
City
Sciacca
State/Province
Agrigento
ZIP/Postal Code
92019
Country
Italy
Facility Name
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Palermo
City
Palermo
ZIP/Postal Code
90129
Country
Italy

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No
Citations:
PubMed Identifier
27388423
Citation
Di Liberto D, Mansueto P, D'Alcamo A, Lo Pizzo M, Lo Presti E, Geraci G, Fayer F, Guggino G, Iacono G, Dieli F, Carroccio A. Predominance of Type 1 Innate Lymphoid Cells in the Rectal Mucosa of Patients With Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity: Reversal After a Wheat-Free Diet. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2016 Jul 7;7(7):e178. doi: 10.1038/ctg.2016.35.
Results Reference
result
PubMed Identifier
26109796
Citation
Mansueto P, D'Alcamo A, Seidita A, Carroccio A. Food allergy in irritable bowel syndrome: The case of non-celiac wheat sensitivity. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Jun 21;21(23):7089-109. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i23.7089.
Results Reference
result
PubMed Identifier
25430806
Citation
Carroccio A, Soresi M, D'Alcamo A, Sciume C, Iacono G, Geraci G, Brusca I, Seidita A, Adragna F, Carta M, Mansueto P. Risk of low bone mineral density and low body mass index in patients with non-celiac wheat-sensitivity: a prospective observation study. BMC Med. 2014 Nov 28;12:230. doi: 10.1186/s12916-014-0230-2.
Results Reference
result
PubMed Identifier
24533607
Citation
Mansueto P, Seidita A, D'Alcamo A, Carroccio A. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity: literature review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2014;33(1):39-54. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2014.869996.
Results Reference
result
PubMed Identifier
24275240
Citation
Carroccio A, Rini G, Mansueto P. Non-celiac wheat sensitivity is a more appropriate label than non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Gastroenterology. 2014 Jan;146(1):320-1. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.08.061. Epub 2013 Nov 22. No abstract available.
Results Reference
result
PubMed Identifier
24169272
Citation
Carroccio A, Mansueto P, D'Alcamo A, Iacono G. Non-celiac wheat sensitivity as an allergic condition: personal experience and narrative review. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013 Dec;108(12):1845-52; quiz 1853. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2013.353. Epub 2013 Nov 5.
Results Reference
result
PubMed Identifier
22825366
Citation
Carroccio A, Mansueto P, Iacono G, Soresi M, D'Alcamo A, Cavataio F, Brusca I, Florena AM, Ambrosiano G, Seidita A, Pirrone G, Rini GB. Non-celiac wheat sensitivity diagnosed by double-blind placebo-controlled challenge: exploring a new clinical entity. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Dec;107(12):1898-906; quiz 1907. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2012.236. Epub 2012 Jul 24.
Results Reference
result

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Gynaecological Disorders in Not-celiac Wheat Sensitivity

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