Free Article: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME-LIKE DISORDERS IN ENDOMETRIOSIS: PREVALENCE OF NICKEL SENSITIVITY AND EFFECTS OF A LOW-NICKEL DIET. AN OPEN-LABEL PILOT STUDY.

Authors: Borghini R, Porpora MG, Casale R, Marino M, Palmieri E, Greco N, Donato G, Picarelli A

Journal: Nutrients. 2020 Jan 28;12(2). pii: E341. doi: 10.3390/nu12020341.

Abstract

Alimentary nickel (Ni) may result in allergic contact mucositis (ACM), whose prevalence is >30% and may present with IBS-like and extra-intestinal symptoms. These symptoms are also frequent in endometriosis, and Ni allergic contact dermatitis has already been observed in endometriosis. Therefore, intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms in endometriosis may depend on a Ni ACM, and a low-Ni diet could improve symptoms. We studied the prevalence of Ni ACM in endometriosis and focused on the effects of a low-Ni diet on gastrointestinal, extra-intestinal, and gynecological symptoms. We recruited 84 women with endometriosis, symptomatic for gastrointestinal disorders. Thirty-one out of 84 patients completed the study. They underwent Ni oral mucosa patch test (omPT), questionnaire for intestinal/extra-intestinal/gynecological symptoms, and a low-Ni diet. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline (T0) and after three months (T1). Twenty-eight out 31 (90.3%) patients showed Ni omPT positive results, with Ni ACM diagnosis, whereas three out of 31 (9.7%) patients showed negative Ni omPT. After three months of low-Ni diet, all gastrointestinal, extra-intestinal and gynecological symptoms showed a statistically significant reduction. Ni ACM has a high prevalence in endometriosis and a low-Ni diet may be recommended in this condition to reduce gastrointestinal, extra-intestinal and gynecological symptoms.

Link to article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32012984