Oats in the diet of children with celiac disease: preliminary results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter Italian study

Nutrients. 2013 Nov 20;5(11):4653-64. doi: 10.3390/nu5114653.

Abstract

A gluten-free diet (GFD) is currently the only available treatment for patients with celiac disease (CD). Several clinical trials have demonstrated that most celiac patients can tolerate a medium-high quantity of oats without any negative clinical effects; however, the inclusion of oats in GFD is still a matter of debate. In this study, Italian children with CD were enrolled in a 15-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial. Participants were randomized in two groups following either A-B treatment (6 months of diet "A", 3 months of standard GFD, 6 months of diet "B"), or B-A treatment (6 months of diet "B", 3 months of standard GFD, 6 months of diet "A"). A and B diets included gluten-free (GF) products (flour, pasta, biscuits, cakes and crisp toasts) with either purified oats or placebo. Clinical data (Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rate Scale [GSRS] score) and intestinal permeability tests (IPT), were measured through the study period. Although the study is still blinded, no significant differences were found in GSRS score or the urinary lactulose/mannitol (L/M) ratio between the two groups after 6 months of treatment. These preliminary results suggest that the addition of non-contaminated oats from selected varieties in the treatment of children with CD does not determine changes in intestinal permeability and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Avena*
  • Celiac Disease* / complications
  • Celiac Disease* / diet therapy
  • Celiac Disease* / urine
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diet, Gluten-Free*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology*
  • Italy
  • Lactulose / urine
  • Male
  • Mannitol / urine
  • Permeability
  • Seeds

Substances

  • Mannitol
  • Lactulose