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Functional Gastrointestinal Symptoms Are Associated with Higher Serum Total IgE Levels, but Less Atopic Sensitization

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Abstract

Background

The relation of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints to IgE-mediated allergy is not well understood. Increased numbers of “IgE-armed” mast cells have been observed in duodenal mucosa of patients with functional GI complaints.

Aims

To explore whether total IgE and atopic sensitization were associated with functional GI complaints.

Methods

Levels of serum total and specific IgE and GI complaints were measured in 161 patients and in a general population sample of 478 persons. Standard inhalant allergens were measured in the patient group, and selected inhalant allergens in the general population. GI complaints were assessed by two standardized questionnaires. The associations between GI complaints and total IgE were analyzed in multiple regression models.

Results

GI complaints were positively associated with higher total IgE levels (all: b = 0.028, p = 0.012; patient group: b = 0.038, p = 0.072; general population: b = 0.038, p = 0.005), but negatively associated with atopic sensitization (all: b = −11.256, p = 0.181; patient group: b = −85.667, p < 0.001; general population: b = −14.394, p = 0.083). The relationship between total IgE and GI complaints was consistent among sensitized and non-sensitized persons, among men and women, and across age groups.

Conclusion

Serum total IgE was positively associated with GI complaints, while atopic sensitization was inversely associated with GI complaints. This suggests that IgE-mediated immunology plays a role in the pathophysiology of functional GI complaints. The biological mechanisms reflected in higher total IgE levels, but less atopic sensitization, warrant further studies.

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Acknowledgments

The third wave of Bergen ECRHS was funded by the Norwegian Research Council, the Western Norwegian Regional health Authorities, the Bergen Medical Research Foundation, and others.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Ellen Johanne Vara, Erik Florvaag, Ernst Omenaas & Gülen Arslan Lied

  2. Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Cecilie Svanes

  3. Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

    Cecilie Svanes & Trude D. Skorge

  4. Section for Clinical Allergology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

    Aud Berstad, Erik Florvaag & Gülen Arslan Lied

  5. Section of Gastroenterology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

    Gülen Arslan Lied

  6. Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

    Ernst Omenaas, Marie Waatevik & Ane Johannessen

  7. Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK

    Debbie Jarvis

  8. Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021, Bergen, Norway

    Ellen Johanne Vara

Authors
  1. Ellen Johanne Vara
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  2. Cecilie Svanes
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Correspondence to Ellen Johanne Vara.

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Appendix

Appendix

Details of the patients according to the primary cause of reference [patients who were referred to allergologic examination with GI complaints as primary cause of reference (n = 81) and patients who were referred to allergologic examination with other allergic symptoms as primary cause of reference (n = 80)] are provided below (Tables 5, 6).

Table 5 Demographic and clinical data in patient subgroups
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Table 6 Specific GI complaints in patient subgroups
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Vara, E.J., Svanes, C., Skorge, T.D. et al. Functional Gastrointestinal Symptoms Are Associated with Higher Serum Total IgE Levels, but Less Atopic Sensitization. Dig Dis Sci 61, 189–197 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-015-3835-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-015-3835-1

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