Multiple sclerosis and gluten sensitivity

Objective: To compare the frequency of gluten sensitivity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls. Patients and Methods: The patients were 161 clinically definite MS patients who referred to neurology outpatient clinic of Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz, south of Iran from March 2004 to October 2005. IgG and IgA antigliadin antibodies were measured by enzyme immuno assay (EIA) method. The test of IgA antitranstissue glutaminase (tTG) and duodenal biopsy were carried out in patients with either IgA or IgG AGA positive sera. Anti-liadin antibodies were also measured for 166 age and sex matched control group. Results: Neither IgG nor IgA antigliadin antibodies showed significant differences between NIS patients and controls. Anti-tTG antibody and histopathologic studies were negative in all patients with positive IgG or IgA antigliadin antibodies results. Mean values of IgG and IgA antialiadin antibodies in NIS patients with different sex, age, course, and functional systems involvement were not significantly different. Conclusion: Gluten sensitivity is not associated with MS in Iran. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.