OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the rectal mucosal response to gluten as an indication of gluten sensitivity in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Rectal challenges with wheat gluten were performed in 20 patients with pSS and 18 healthy control subjects. Fifteen hours after challenge the mucosal production of nitric oxide (NO) was measured.

RESULTS:

Five patients with pSS had a significant increase in the luminal release of NO after the rectal gluten challenge, indicating gluten sensitivity. All were HLA-DQ2 and/or -DQ8-positive. Two of the patients with increased NO had antibodies against transglutaminase and a duodenal biopsy showed an absolutely flat mucosa consistent with coeliac disease in one of the patients. Before gluten challenge, 15 of the Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients reported gastrointestinal symptoms, and 8 reported intolerance to various food products. No correlation was found between gluten sensitivity and self-reported food intolerance or gastrointestinal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Rectal mucosal inflammatory response after gluten challenge is often seen in patients with pSS, signifying gluten sensitivity. However, this reactivity is not necessarily linked to coeliac disease.