Treatment of Screen-detected Celiac Disease

Treatment of Screen-detected Celiac Disease in Adults

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the natural history of celiac disease in asymptomatic, screen-detected subjects having positive endomysial antibodies and the effects of an intervention with a gluten-free diet. The investigators hypothesize that these subjects may have decreased general health and benefit of the dietary treatment regardless of the small-bowel mucosal structure.

Asymptomatic, endomysial-antibody positive adults will be randomized to either continue with a normal, gluten-containing diet or start an intervention with a gluten-free diet irrespective of the small-bowel mucosal morphology. Several celiac-disease associated histological, serological and clinical markers will be evaluated both at baseline and after one year on trial.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Positive endomysial antibodies
• Adults

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous celiac disease diagnosis
• Significant clinical symptoms
• Suspicion of any serious celiac disease-associated complication
• Suspected or diagnosed severe illness other than celiac disease
• Consuming oral corticosteroids or immune suppressants
• Marked laboratory abnormalities