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J Clin Pathol 2008;61:1116-1118 doi:10.1136/jcp.2008.060145
  • Original article

The prevalence and the causes of minimal intestinal lesions in patients complaining of symptoms suggestive of enteropathy: a follow-up study

  1. F Biagi1,
  2. P I Bianchi1,
  3. J Campanella1,
  4. C Badulli2,
  5. M Martinetti2,
  6. C Klersy3,
  7. C Alvisi4,
  8. O Luinetti5,
  9. G R Corazza1
  1. 1
    Coeliac Centre/First Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  2. 2
    Immunohematology and Transfusion Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  3. 3
    Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  4. 4
    Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  5. 5
    Pathology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  1. Dr F Biagi, Coeliac Centre/1st Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, P.le Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; f.biagi{at}smatteo.pv.it
  • Accepted 28 July 2008
  • Published Online First 15 August 2008

Abstract

Aims: Although they are non-specific, minimal intestinal lesions are at the end of the coeliac histological damage spectrum. To investigate whether minimal intestinal lesions in patients without endomysial antibodies are due to coeliac disease, their prevalence, causes and risk of evolving into frank coeliac disease were studied.

Methods: From January 2000 to December 2005, 645 duodenal biopsies were performed. In 209 patients, duodenal biopsies were performed independently of endomysial antibody results. Clinical data and HLA-typing of all the patients negative to endomysial antibodies but with minimal mucosal lesions were re-evaluated. Three years later, they were offered to be seen again, and further investigations were proposed.

Results: 14 out of 209 patients had minimal mucosal lesions and negative endomysial antibodies. Two patients were lost to follow-up; in 7/12 patients, symptoms and histological lesions were due to a different condition, not related to coeliac disease. In 11/12 patients, HLA-typing made diagnosis of coeliac disease very unlikely. Only one patient was on a gluten-free diet because of gluten-sensitive symptoms and was DQ2+/DQ8+.

Conclusions: Minimal duodenal lesions in patients negative to endomysial antibodies are rare and are likely to be due to conditions unrelated to coeliac disease.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Patient consent: Obtained.

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