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Non-celiac Wheat SensitivityNCT03021148

Self-reported Gluten Sensitivity in High-school Students

An observational study of Non-celiac Wheat Sensitivity, run by University of Palermo at 2 sites in Italy.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

It has been reported that a consistent percentage of the general population consider themselves to be suffering from problems caused by wheat and/or gluten ingestion, even though they do not have celiac disease or wheat allergy. This clinical condition has been named Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity' (NCGS). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 13 to 18 years
Conditions the study is for
Non-celiac Wheat Sensitivity
What is being tested?
Questionnaire
How many people
500 participants
Where
2 sitesItaly
Study dates
Jan 2016to Dec 2016
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 13 to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Study population: The study include high-school children, age range from 13 to 18 years, from "Liceo Classico" and "Liceo Artistico" "Tommaso Fazello" of Sciacca, Agrigento, Italy, evaluated by an ad hoc questionnaire between January 2016 and December 2016.

Who may be able to join

  • All students who attended the high-school five-years course, independently by their age.

Who cannot join

  • N/A

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

Italy2 sites
  • Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Palermo

    Palermo, Palermo, 90129

  • Department of Internal Medicine, Giovanni Paolo II Hospital of Sciacca

    Sciacca, Agrigento, 92019

Other trials in Italy

About this study

Official title: Prevalence of Self-reported Gluten Sensitivity in a Population of High-school Students

It has been reported that a consistent percentage of the general population consider themselves to be suffering from problems caused by wheat and/or gluten ingestion, even though they do not have celiac disease or wheat allergy. This clinical condition has been named Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity' (NCGS). In a previous paper the investigators suggested the term 'Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity' (NCWS), since it is not known what component of wheat causes the symptoms in NCGS patients, and the investigators also showed that these patients had a high frequency of coexistent multiple food hypersensitivity. To our knowledge, there are very few studies which assessed the prevalence of self-reported gluten-related symptoms in the community and analyze diagnostic outcomes in those referred to secondary gastrointestinal care. In one of these, performed in UK, the authors showed that gluten-related symptoms are self-reported by 13% of the population, with 3.7% consuming a gluten-free diet, despite only 0.8% being aware that they have a formal diagnosis of celiac disease. Of those patients presenting to the gastroenterology department, the majority do not have CD but NCWS. No data are available for boys and girls. Therefore, the aims of this study were 1) to determine the prevalence of self-perceived gluten-sensitivity in a population of high-school students, and 2) to evaluate the demographic and clinical differences between students self-reporting gluten sensitivity and students not reporting food hypersensitivity.

Read the detailed description

Self-reported food hypersensitivity is common, particularly in women, with a reported prevalence of 20.4% in the UK community. A wide range of gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms may be experienced related to consumption of the intolerant food(s). In addition, patients demonstrate considerably more generalized subjective health complaints in comparison with healthy controls. In this context, it has been reported that a consistent percentage of the general population consider themselves to be suffering from problems caused by wheat and/or gluten ingestion, even though they do not have celiac disease or wheat allergy. This clinical condition has been named Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity' (NCGS). In a previous paper the investigators suggested the term 'Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity' (NCWS), since it is not known what component of wheat causes the symptoms in NCGS patients, and the investigators also showed that these patients had a high frequency of coexistent multiple food hypersensitivity. The clinical picture of NCWS is characterized by combined gastrointestinal (bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation, nausea, epigastric pain, gastroesophageal reflux, aphthous stomatitis) and extra-intestinal and/or systemic manifestations (headache, depression, anxiety, 'foggy mind,' tiredness, dermatitis or skin rash, fibromyalgia-like joint/muscle pain, leg or arm numbness, and anemia). To our knowledge, there are few studies which assessed the prevalence of self-reported gluten-related symptoms in the community and analyze diagnostic outcomes in those referred to secondary gastrointestinal care. In one of these, performed in UK, the authors shown that gluten-related symptoms are self-reported by 13% of the population, with 3.7% consuming a gluten-free diet, despite only 0.8% being aware that they have a formal diagnosis of celiac disease. In this study individuals self-reporting gluten-related symptoms are predominantly female, report an association with IBS, and experience both intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms on gluten ingestion. Of those patients presenting to the gastroenterology department, the majority do not have CD but NCWS. In contrast to the above mentioned data, obtained in adults, no data are available for young people. Therefore, the aims of this study were 1) to determine the prevalence of self-perceived gluten-sensitivity in a population of high-school students, and 2) to evaluate the demographic and clinical differences between students self-reporting gluten sensitivity and students not reporting food hypersensitivity. The students participated in the study by filling out a modified version of a previously validated written questionnaire, to which there were two sections. The first comprised basic demographic information, including age, sex and ethnicity, and a screening section for symptoms consistent with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in accordance with the Rome III criteria, also including their past gastrointestinal, psychiatric and allergic history. The second section of the survey enquired for self-reported gluten-related symptoms. Participants were also asked for their use of a gluten-free diet and if they had seen a healthcare professional for their symptoms. A reported diagnosis of celiac disease and wheat allergy in the population group was defined by those who had a doctor diagnosis of celiac disease and wheat allergy and were also taking a gluten-free diet.

Being tested
Questionnaire
Keywords
Non-celiac wheat sensitivity, self-reported

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • QuestionnaireOther

    Administration of questionnaire.

Study groups in NCT03021148
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
High-school childrenHigh-school children, age range from 13 to 18 years, from "Liceo Classico" and "Liceo Artistico" "Tommaso Fazello" of Sciacca, Agrigento, Italy
Receives: Other: Questionnaire

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Number of subjects with self-perceived gluten-sensitivity in a population of high-school students

    Number of subjects with self-perceived gluten-sensitivity in a population of high-school students by using an ad hoc questionnaire.

    Measured: January 2016 to December 2016

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Demographic differences between children self-reporting and children not self reporting gluten-related symptoms

    Demographic differences between students self-reporting gluten sensitivity and students not reporting food hypersensitivity

    Measured: January 2016 to December 2016

  2. Clinical differences between children self-reporting and children not self reporting gluten-related symptoms

    Clinical differences between students self-reporting gluten sensitivity and students not reporting food hypersensitivity

    Measured: January 2016 to December 2016

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted13 Jan 2017 (estimated)
  2. Study startJan 2016
  3. Primary completionOct 2016
  4. Study completionDec 2016

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
500 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03021148
Sponsor's protocol ID
ACPM17
Status last verified
Jan 2017
First submitted
30 Dec 2016
Last updated
13 Jan 2017
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Carroccio A, Mansueto P, Iacono G, Soresi M, D'Alcamo A, Cavataio F, Brusca I, Florena AM, Ambrosiano G, Seidita A, Pirrone G, Rini GB. Non-celiac wheat sensitivity diagnosed by double-blind placebo-controlled challenge: exploring a new clinical entity. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Dec;107(12):1898-906; quiz 1907. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2012.236. Epub 2012 Jul 24.

    PubMed 22825366
  • Mansueto P, Seidita A, D'Alcamo A, Carroccio A. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity: literature review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2014;33(1):39-54. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2014.869996.

    PubMed 24533607
  • Carroccio A, Rini G, Mansueto P. Non-celiac wheat sensitivity is a more appropriate label than non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Gastroenterology. 2014 Jan;146(1):320-1. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.08.061. Epub 2013 Nov 22. No abstract available.

    PubMed 24275240
  • Carroccio A, D'Alcamo A, Mansueto P. Nonceliac wheat sensitivity in the context of multiple food hypersensitivity: new data from confocal endomicroscopy. Gastroenterology. 2015 Mar;148(3):666-7. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.11.047. Epub 2015 Jan 24. No abstract available.

    PubMed 25625764
  • Carroccio A, Soresi M, D'Alcamo A, Sciume C, Iacono G, Geraci G, Brusca I, Seidita A, Adragna F, Carta M, Mansueto P. Risk of low bone mineral density and low body mass index in patients with non-celiac wheat-sensitivity: a prospective observation study. BMC Med. 2014 Nov 28;12:230. doi: 10.1186/s12916-014-0230-2.

    PubMed 25430806
  • Mansueto P, Seidita A, D'Alcamo A, Carroccio A. Role of FODMAPs in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Nutr Clin Pract. 2015 Oct;30(5):665-82. doi: 10.1177/0884533615569886. Epub 2015 Feb 18.

    PubMed 25694210
  • Young E, Stoneham MD, Petruckevitch A, Barton J, Rona R. A population study of food intolerance. Lancet. 1994 May 7;343(8906):1127-30. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(94)90234-8.

    PubMed 7910231
  • Aziz I, Lewis NR, Hadjivassiliou M, Winfield SN, Rugg N, Kelsall A, Newrick L, Sanders DS. A UK study assessing the population prevalence of self-reported gluten sensitivity and referral characteristics to secondary care. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Jan;26(1):33-9. doi: 10.1097/01.meg.0000435546.87251.f7.

    PubMed 24216570
  • Sanders DS, Patel D, Stephenson TJ, Ward AM, McCloskey EV, Hadjivassiliou M, Lobo AJ. A primary care cross-sectional study of undiagnosed adult coeliac disease. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2003 Apr;15(4):407-13. doi: 10.1097/00042737-200304000-00012.

    PubMed 12655262

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Non-celiac Wheat Sensitivity, run by University of Palermo at 2 sites in Italy.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Jan 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Number of subjects with self-perceived gluten-sensitivity in a population of high-school students (time frame: January 2016 to December 2016). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03021148, which also lists 9 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Jan 2017.

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