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Questionnaire showed that Swedish paediatric clinics complied well with the revised European guidelines for diagnosing coeliac disease.
Myléus, A, Stenhammar, L, Högberg, L, Browaldh, L, Daniels, IM, Fagerberg, UL, Gudjónsdóttir, AH, Malmquist, M, Sandström, O, Ivarsson, A
Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). 2019;(6):1140-1143
Abstract
AIM: In 2012, revised criteria for diagnosing childhood coeliac disease were published by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and incorporated into the revised Swedish guidelines the same year. These made it possible, in certain cases, to diagnose coeliac disease without taking small bowel biopsies. This survey assessed the extent to which the new guidelines were implemented by Swedish paediatric clinics two years after their introduction. METHODS In October 2014, we distributed a paper questionnaire including five questions on diagnostic routines to the 40 paediatric clinics in university or regional hospitals in Sweden that perform small bowel biopsies. RESULTS All 36 (90%) clinics that responded used anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies as the initial diagnostic test and some also used serological markers. Most clinics (81%) used endoscopy and took multiple duodenal biopsies, whereas only a few (19%) occasionally employed a suction capsule. Almost all clinics (86%) omitted taking small bowel biopsies in symptomatic children with repeatedly high coeliac serology and positive genotyping, thereby avoiding the need for invasive endoscopy under anaesthesia. CONCLUSION The 2012 Swedish Paediatric Coeliac Disease Diagnostic Guidelines had been widely accepted and implemented in routine health care two years after their introduction.
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Oral immunoglobulin treatment improved intestinal permeability in children with active Crohn's disease.
Sundqvist, T, Stenhammar, L, Tjellström, B, Magnusson, KE, Forslund, T, Högberg, L
Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). 2017;(4):647-653
Abstract
AIM: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic mucosal inflammation that affects the intestinal barrier function, for example, by altering the intestinal permeability. This pilot clinical study investigated the impact of oral human immunoglobulin (OHIG) treatment on permeability characteristics in children with active luminal Crohn's disease. METHODS The study was performed at the Department of Paediatrics, Norrköping Hospital, Sweden. Intestinal permeability was studied in three boys aged 13, 15 and 18 years with active CD, before and after a six-week treatment programme with OHIG, using different-sized polyethylene glycols as the test molecules. Three age- and sex-matched children with active CD treated with exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) were also studied. RESULTS OHIG and EEN resulted in virtually similar reductions in the signs and symptoms of mucosal inflammation. However, OHIG, unlike EEN, appeared to normalise mucosal transfer leading to a normalisation of the maximum permeation of the small PEG molecules, as well as less restrictions of the larger PEG molecules. CONCLUSION Our study found that OHIG appeared to normalise the mucosal barrier. This suggests that it could offer a new additional and versatile treatment for paediatric CD patients, with a minimal risk of adverse effects.
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Exclusive Enteral Nutrition Does Not Normalize Gut Microflora Function in Pediatric Perianal Crohn Disease.
Tjellström, B, Stenhammar, L, Magnusson, KE, Midtvedt, T, Norin, E, Sundqvist, T, Högberg, L
Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. 2015;(1):e4
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High adherence to a gluten-free diet in adolescents with screening-detected celiac disease.
Webb, C, Myléus, A, Norström, F, Hammarroth, S, Högberg, L, Lagerqvist, C, Rosén, A, Sandström, O, Stenhammar, L, Ivarsson, A, et al
Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. 2015;(1):54-9
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate the gluten-free diet (GFD) adherence after 1 year of follow-up in children with screening-detected celiac disease (CD) in a general population. METHODS A total of 18,325 twelve-year-olds were invited to participate in a population-based CD screening (Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden), of whom 13,279 participated. In 240 children, CD was detected through elevated anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies 2 (TG2-IgA) and verified by a small-intestinal biopsy. This substudy included 210 children with TG2-IgA, evaluated both at the initial biopsy occasion and at 1-year follow-up. GFD adherence was evaluated by a combination of TG2-IgA measurements and self-reported adherence (n = 193). RESULTS After 1 year, 85% (179/210) had normalized TG2-IgA levels (<5 U/mL). Among those who had >50 U/mL at diagnosis, 25% (16/63) still had elevated TG2-IgA, but for the majority their initial values were more than halved. Most reported a high level of GFD adherence ("always" 82% [158/193] and "often" 16% [30/193]), and 75% [145/193] reported always adhering combined with normalized TG2-IgA. Although reporting that they were always adherent, 13 (6.7%) had not yet normalized their TG2-IgA levels completely; however, a majority of these initially had the highest TG2-IgA levels. CONCLUSIONS GFD adherence is high in adolescents with CD detected by screening of the general population of Swedish 12-year-olds. Almost all of them had normalized serology and reported GFD adherence at the 1-year follow-up. A few adolescents who reported GFD adherence, however, had elevated TG2-IgA levels, suggesting more severe disease and/or nonadherence.
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The effects of oats on the function of gut microflora in children with coeliac disease.
Tjellström, B, Stenhammar, L, Sundqvist, T, Fälth-Magnusson, K, Hollén, E, Magnusson, KE, Norin, E, Midtvedt, T, Högberg, L
Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. 2014;39(10):1156-60
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Plain language summary
Oats have been allowed in the gluten-free diet of patients with coeliac disease (CD), however concerns have been raised that they may not be safe to eat in a subset of these patients. Short chain fatty acids (SFCAs) have been identified as a marker of inflammation and gut metabolism. Recent studies have found that children with CD often have elevated SCFA levels, indicating a disturbance in the gut microflora. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of consuming oats in children recently diagnosed with CD by examining faecal SCFAs. 116 children were treated with or without oats in their gluten-free diet for one year to see if oats affect the gut microflora. The findings of this study indicate that the children consuming oats had higher faecal SCFA concentration after one year than those not consuming oats. Based on this study, the authors’ conclude that oats do affect the gut microflora metabolism and that some coeliac children consuming oats may develop gut mucosal inflammation, leading to further future complications.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Faecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced by the gut microflora. We have previously reported high faecal SCFA levels in children with coeliac disease (CD), indicating alteration in gut microfloral metabolism. Data accumulated over recent decades by us and others suggest that wheat-free oats can safely be included in a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, concerns have been raised with respect to the safety of oats in a subset of coeliacs. AIM: To describe faecal SCFA patterns in children with newly diagnosed CD treated for 1 year with a GFD with or without oats. METHODS This report is part of a randomised, double-blind study on the effect of a GFD containing oats (GFD-oats) vs. a standard GFD (GFD-std). Faecal samples were received from 34 children in the GFD-oats group and 37 in the GFD-std group at initial diagnosis and/or after 1 year on a GFD. Faecal SCFAs were analysed. RESULTS The GFD-std group had a significantly lower total faecal SCFA concentration at 12 months compared with 0 months (P < 0.05). In contrast, total SCFA in the GFD-oats group remained high after 1 year on the GFD. The children in the GFD-oats group had significantly higher acetic acid (P < 0.05), n-butyric acid (P < 0.05) and total SCFA concentration (P < 0.01) after 1-year diet treatment compared to the GFD-std group. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that oats do affect the gut microflora function, and that some coeliac children receiving oats may develop gut mucosal inflammation, that may present a risk for future complications.
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Urinary nitric oxide during one year of gluten-free diet with or without oats in children with coeliac disease.
Hollén, E, Forslund, T, Högberg, L, Laurin, P, Stenhammar, L, Fälth-Magnusson, K, Magnusson, KE, Sundqvist, T
Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology. 2006;(11):1272-8
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although in both adults and children with coeliac disease (CD) it is now recommended that oats be added to their gluten-free diet, there is still some controversy concerning the possible harmful effects of oats in some individuals. In this study concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites were repeatedly measured in the urine of children under investigation for CD, when on a gluten-free diet with or without oats. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 116 children, randomized to a standard gluten-free diet (GFD-std) or a gluten-free diet supplemented with wheat-free oat products (GFD-oats), over a one-year period. Small-bowel biopsy was performed at the beginning and end of the study. Morning urine samples were collected from 87 children and urinary nitrite/nitrate concentrations were monitored at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. RESULTS All patients were in clinical remission after the study period. There was a rapid decline in urinary nitrite/nitrate concentrations in both groups as early as after 3 months. No differences were seen between the study groups at any of the checkpoints. However, at the end of the study, the nitrite/nitrate values of 9 children in the GFD-oats group and 8 children in the GFD-std group had not normalized. CONCLUSIONS Children with CD on a gluten-free diet with oats display a similar reduction in urinary nitrite/nitrate as those on a traditional gluten-free diet. Some children, however, still demonstrate high nitrite/nitrate excretion after one year on either diet, indicating that long-term follow-up studies of children on an oats-containing diet are needed.
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Coeliac children on a gluten-free diet with or without oats display equal anti-avenin antibody titres.
Hollén, E, Holmgren Peterson, K, Sundqvist, T, Grodzinsky, E, Högberg, L, Laurin, P, Stenhammar, L, Fälth-Magnusson, K, Magnusson, KE
Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology. 2006;(1):42-7
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent studies report negligible toxicity of oats in the majority of coeliac disease (CD) patients. It has previously been shown that children with untreated CD have circulating antibodies to oats avenin. In this study we performed serial assessments of anti-avenin antibodies in children under investigation for CD on a gluten-free diet with or without oats. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 116 children, randomized to a standard gluten-free diet or a gluten-free diet supplemented with oats. Sera were obtained from 86 children, 48 in the standard gluten-free group and 38 in the gluten-free oats group, of which 33 consumed at least 10 g of oats daily. IgA and IgG anti-avenin antibodies were monitored at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months. Nitric oxide metabolites were measured in 7 patients, with deviating antibody results. RESULTS There was a significant decrease in anti-avenin antibodies in both groups at the end as compared to the beginning of the study, (p<0.001), but no difference was found between the two groups. IgA titres already declined after 3 months. IgG titres, although significantly decreased, remained high in the majority of patients in both groups. Nitric oxide levels were high in four of the analysed samples. CONCLUSIONS Oats per se, do not seem to produce a humoral immune reaction in children with CD when given in an otherwise gluten-free diet, indicating that the reaction requires gluten challenge. Anti-avenin antibodies were equal in the two study groups, and these findings strengthen the clinical impression that oats can be tolerated by the majority of patients with CD.
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Oats to children with newly diagnosed coeliac disease: a randomised double blind study.
Högberg, L, Laurin, P, Fälth-Magnusson, K, Grant, C, Grodzinsky, E, Jansson, G, Ascher, H, Browaldh, L, Hammersjö, JA, Lindberg, E, et al
Gut. 2004;(5):649-54
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BACKGROUND Treatment of coeliac disease (CD) requires lifelong adherence to a strict gluten free diet (GFD) which hitherto has consisted of a diet free of wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Recent studies, mainly in adults, have shown that oats are non-toxic to CD patients. In children, only open studies comprising a small number of patients have been performed. AIM: To determine if children with CD tolerate oats in their GFD. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this double blind multicentre study involving eight paediatric clinics, 116 children with newly diagnosed CD were randomised to one of two groups: one group was given a standard GFD (GFD-std) and one group was given a GFD with additional wheat free oat products (GFD-oats). The study period was one year. Small bowel biopsy was performed at the beginning and end of the study. Serum IgA antigliadin, antiendomysium, and antitissue transglutaminase antibodies were monitored at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS Ninety three patients completed the study. Median (range) daily oat intake in the GFD-oats group (n = 42) was 15 (5-40) g at the six month control and 15 (0-43) g at the end of the study. All patients were in clinical remission after the study period. The GFD-oats and GFD-std groups did not differ significantly at the end of the study regarding coeliac serology markers or small bowel mucosal architecture, including numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes. Significantly more children in the youngest age group withdrew. CONCLUSIONS This is the first randomised double blind study showing that the addition of moderate amounts of oats to a GFD does not prevent clinical or small bowel mucosal healing, or humoral immunological downregulation in coeliac children. This is in accordance with the findings of studies in adult coeliacs and indicates that oats, added to the otherwise GFD, can be accepted and tolerated by the majority of children with CD.
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Elemental versus polymeric enteral nutrition in paediatric Crohn's disease: a multicentre randomized controlled trial.
Ludvigsson, JF, Krantz, M, Bodin, L, Stenhammar, L, Lindquist, B
Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). 2004;(3):327-35
Abstract
AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of an elemental and a polymeric diet as the primary therapy for active Crohn's disease in children. METHODS In a randomized, non-blind, multicentre, controlled trial in Sweden, 16 children with Crohn's disease received Elemental 028 Extra (E028E) and 17 Nutrison Standard (NuS). Remission rates (Paediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) < 10 or a PCDAI decrease of 40% or 15 points of initial level) were compared at 6 wk. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two groups in remission rate at 6 wk (intent-to-treat analysis): E028E 11/16 (69%) and NuS 14/17 (82%) (p = 0.438). There was no difference in the decrease in PCDAI and CDAI between patients treated with E028E and those treated with NuS from 0 to 6 wk. Patients treated with NuS gained significantly more weight than patients treated with E028E (+2.5 kg; 95% CI 0.9, 4.1; p = 0.004), this difference remained when adjusting for maximum caloric intake per kilogram bodyweight (+2.9 kg; 95% CI 1.4, 4.5; p = 0.001). Concomitant disease, complications and side effects were seen in 5/33 patients (pyelonephritis, pneumonia, intraabdominal abscess, perianal abscess and borborygmi). CONCLUSION E028E and NuS did not differ in terms of remission rate. Patients treated with NuS gained more weight than patients with E028E. Polymeric diet may be superior to elemental diet in the treatment of paediatric Crohn's disease where the primary aim is to increase the patient's weight.