Persistent small bowel mucosal villous atrophy without symptoms in coeliac disease

Background Refractory sprue with malabsorption carries a risk of lymphoma. Aim To examine whether a good clinical but poor histological response during a strict gluten-free diet predicts a poor outcome. Methods The study involved all coeliac patients who showed no histological recovery within 2 years on a strict gluten-free diet. Small intestinal biopsy and bone mineral density were investigated in 2001 and clinical features were followed up until 2005. The results were compared to those in 18 coeliac patients with a good histological recovery. Results Thirteen coeliac patients had persistent small intestinal villous atrophy despite maintaining gluten-free diet. All had demonstrated a good clinical response. Osteoporosis was found in 58% and 22% of the nonresponders and responders, respectively ( P = 0.04). In 2005, two of the non-responders had developed symptomatic refractory sprue, one died of lymphoma and one of carcinoid tumour, and one gastric adenocarcinoma was operated. None of the 18 controls had developed refractory sprue or malignancy. The frequency of histological non-responsive disease was 1.9%. Conclusions Persistent villous atrophy in adult coeliac disease, even in the absence of symptoms, carries a risk of subsequent severe complications. The follow-up biopsy is important in detecting these individuals.