REINTRODUCTION OF GLUTEN IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH TREATED CELIAC-DISEASE

28 patients, thought to have coeliac disease and on gluten free diets, were put on a normal diet to confirm their diagnosis. 19 had been diagnosed in adult life (ACD) and 9 in childhood (CCD). Patients were assessed on jejunal, morphological, and symptomatic parameters. 18 patients with ACD relapsed within 7 wk. 9 patients with CCD relapsed at variable times but 5 took longer than 7 wk, the longest period being 10 mth. 7 patients had no symptoms despite morphological deterioration during challenge and one patient, with ACD, did not relapse and was HLA B8 negative. This patient with ACD had subtotal villous atrophy on 2 jejunal biopsies and later showed morphological improvement on a gluten free diet. There was no correlation between the relapse time and time spent on a gluten free diet.