Dietary treatment of gluten neuropathy

Muscle Nerve. 2006 Dec;34(6):762-6. doi: 10.1002/mus.20642.

Abstract

We studied the effect of a gluten-free diet in patients with idiopathic sensorimotor axonal neuropathy and circulating antigliadin antibodies. Consecutive patients underwent baseline neurophysiological assessment and were offered a gluten-free diet. Those who went on the diet formed the intention-to-treat group and those who did not were the control group. Repeat neurophysiological assessment and subjective evaluation of neuropathy symptoms were performed at 1 year. A total of 35 patients participated in the study, with 25 patients going on the diet and 10 not doing so. There was a significant difference in the change of sural sensory action potentials (pre-defined primary endpoint), with evidence of improvement in the intention-to-treat group and deterioration in the control group. Subjective change in neuropathy symptoms also showed significant differences, with patients in the intention-to-treat group reporting improvement and those in the control group reporting deterioration. Gluten-free diet may thus be a useful therapeutic intervention for patients with gluten neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Celiac Disease / etiology*
  • Diet, Protein-Restricted / methods*
  • Female
  • Glutens / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polyneuropathies / complications*
  • Polyneuropathies / diet therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Glutens