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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 7, 2014; 20(45): 17190-17195
Published online Dec 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i45.17190
Published online Dec 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i45.17190
Test-based exclusion diets in gastro-esophageal reflux disease patients: A randomized controlled pilot trial
Michele Caselli, Giovanni Zuliani, Francesca Cassol, Cecilia Soavi, Department of Medical Sciences, Internal Medicine Institute, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
Nadia Fusetti, Sergio Gullini, Department of Gastroenterology, School of Gastroenterology, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
Elena Zeni, Natalina Lo Cascio, Center Study Association on Food Intolerance and Nutrition of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
Author contributions: Caselli M and Gullini S designed the research; Cassol F, Fusetti N, Zeni E and Lo Cascio N performed the research; Zuliani G and Soavi C analyzed and interpreted data and drafted the article; all authors revised the article and approved its final version.
Correspondence to: Michele Caselli, MD, Department of Medical Sciences, Internal Medicine Institute, University of Ferrara, Via Savonarola 9, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. csc@unife.it
Telephone: +39-532-239012 Fax: +39-532-210884
Received: January 6, 2014
Revised: April 29, 2014
Accepted: July 24, 2014
Published online: December 7, 2014
Revised: April 29, 2014
Accepted: July 24, 2014
Published online: December 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: We previously observed that gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms respond to exclusion diets based on food intolerance tests. In this randomized controlled pilot trial we found that patient partially/completely non responders to proton pump inhibitors experience a significant improvement in symptoms, compared with controls, after one month of exclusion diet based on leukocytotoxic test’s results. These results indicate a possible role of food intolerance in the etiopathogenesis of GERD symptoms, and a possible therapeutic application of exclusion diets when proton pump inhibitor are not effective/indicated.