Gluten sensitivity in Meniere's disease

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Wheat is one of the most common food allergens found in patients with Meniere's disease (MD). Gluten from wheat has been identified to have a etiopathogenetic role in celiac disease, IgE hypersensitivity to wheat disease, and recently to gluten sensitivity. The aim of this study was to verify the incidence of gliadin prick test response in patients affected by MD. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective individual case-control study. METHODS: There were 58 adult patients with definite MD, 25 healthy volunteers, and 25 patients with grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis tested with skin prick test to gliadin. RESULTS: A total of 33 MD patients (56.9%) proved to be sensitive to gliadin, eight of whom were positive to prick test after 20 minutes, 13 after 6 hours, 11 after 12 hours, and one after 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of gliadin skin test response in MD. Further studies are needed to define the relationship between immune response to wheat proteins and MD symptoms.