Splanchnic haemodynamics in patients with coeliac disease: effects of a gluten-free diet

Background. Coeliac disease is characterized by structural and functional changes in the small bowel which may also result in haemodynamic changes. Aims. To establish whether splanchnic haemodynamics can be modified by a gluten-free diet. Patients. Ten coeliac patients and 10 paired healthy subjects. Methods. Echo-Doppler measurements were made of splanchnic vessels both fasting and after a standard meal before and after 9 months of a gluten-free diet. Results. In comparison to controls, coeliac patients had higher superior mesenteric artery blood velocity and flow, with lower resistance indexes and higher portal vein velocity and flow, particularly 3 h after a meal. Postprandial hyperaemia was reduced and delayed in time. Intrasplenic resistance indexes were also significantly lower both fasting and after a meal. After 9 months of a gluten-free diet, no significant differences were observed between coeliac patients and controls, both fasting and after a meal. Conclusions. Splanchnic haemodynamics is significantly changed in coeliac patients, mainly after a meal. On treatment with a gluten-free diet, both fasting and postprandial haemodynamics became normal. (C) 2003 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.