Gluten-Associated Pathology: Focusing on Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

Wheat is an essential part of the diet of many people around the world. Despite the many beneficial aspects of eating wheat products, they can be associated with the development of a variety of diseases. The spectrum of gluten-associated pathologies includes celiac disease, wheat allergy, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). The clinical symptoms of gluten-associated pathology are similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Diagnosis of celiac disease and wheat allergy is now straightforward. NCGS remains a diagnosis of exclusion due to the lack of specific biomarkers and standardized research methods. Many patients with IBS consider themselves gluten-sensitive and their symptoms are relieved by a gluten-free diet. Most likely it is NCGS that occurs in a heterogeneous group of patients with IBS. However it remains controversial whether the development of symptoms in this case is associated with gluten itself or with other components of wheat, such as non-gluten proteins and FODMAPs.