Mucosal lesions of the gastric mucosa in adult patients with coeliac disease

Introduction: Coeliac disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, of autoimmune etiology, in genetically predisposed persons. The role of the gastric lesions and their influence on the clinical course of that disease have not been explained.

Aim: To evaluate the frequency of morphological lesions in the gastric mucosa in adults with coeliac disease and their effect on the clinical picture of gluten enteropathy.

Material and methods: Ninety patients, including 35 patients with coeliac disease and 55 with dyspeptic symptoms (control group) were examined. Clinical studies comprised history of disease, physical examination, blood tests and gastroscopies. Biopsies from the gastric and distal part of the duodenal mucosa were stained with haematoxylin-eosin, for estimation of the intensity of mucosal changes and a count of the intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL). Immunohistochemical studies with anti-CD3 antibodies were performed for the identification of CD3⁺ lymphocytes.

Results: An increased number of IEL was observed in coeliac patients treated as well as not treated with gluten, compared with the control group. Lymphocytic gastritis (LG) was observed in 8.6% of coeliac patients. Patients with coeliac disease and LG presented intense dyspeptic symptoms. Presence of CD3⁺ T lymphocytes was revealed in the gastric and duodenal mucosa with immunohistochemical staining.

Conclusions: Morphological lesions in the gastric mucosa belong to gastroenteropathy in the course of coeliac disease and may induce dyspeptic symptoms. Taking biopsies from the distal part of the duodenum in patients with dyspeptic symptoms should be considered.