Gliadin allergy manifested with chronic urticaria, headache and amenorrhea

Gluten intolerance is an autoimmune enteropathy caused by heterogeneous mixture of wheat storage proteins. Malabsorption symptoms imply diarrhoea, abdominal pain/bloating and weight loss. This case describes a 22-year-old female subject, who had chronic headache, joint pain, urticaria and long perio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ case reports 2011-12, Vol.2011 (dec02 1), p.bcr1020114907-bcr1020114907
Main Authors: Mingomataj, Ervin Ç, Gjata, Enkelejda, Bakiri, Alketa, Xhixha, Fatmira, Hyso, Entela, Ibranji, Alkerta
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Amenorrhea - immunology
Chronic Disease
Europe (East)
Female
Food allergies
Food Hypersensitivity - etiology
Gliadin - adverse effects
Gliadin - immunology
Gluten
Headache - immunology
Headaches
Humans
Infertility
Laboratories
Menstruation
Pain
Ultrasonic imaging
Unusual Association of Diseases/Symptoms
Urticaria - immunology
White
Young Adult
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Summary:Gluten intolerance is an autoimmune enteropathy caused by heterogeneous mixture of wheat storage proteins. Malabsorption symptoms imply diarrhoea, abdominal pain/bloating and weight loss. This case describes a 22-year-old female subject, who had chronic headache, joint pain, urticaria and long period of amenorrhea. Skin prick tests revealed a sensitisation to α-gliadin, while neurological, gynaecological, endocrine and clinical-laboratory examinations did not justify the above-mentioned symptoms. Gluten-free diet resolved chronic symptoms and re-established the menstrual cycle, whereas a temporary gliadin daily diet re-exacerbated all clinical symptoms. Urticaria occurred 20 min and the chronic headache the next day after exposure to the gliadin-rich diet. In addition, the missing of the expected menstrual bleeding was observed. This case demonstrates that gliadin intake can induce malabsorption and ‘idiopathic’ neuronal or gynaecological symptoms.
ISSN:1757-790X
1757-790X
DOI:10.1136/bcr.10.2011.4907