Gluten Technology and Education for Celiac Health

Purpose

The investigators propose to plan for a multi-center randomized controlled trial (M-RCT) to test the effectiveness of novel gluten detection technologies as an adjunct to telemedicine to manage celiac disease in newly diagnosed adults. If successful, the proposed intervention will improve mucosal recovery, promote a shift in current practice of celiac disease management toward long-term monitoring, and represent a significant step toward reducing the severe physical and psychological consequences of celiac disease.

Condition

  • Celiac Disease

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 75 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Any gender; Age 18-75 years - Celiac disease diagnosis by serology and duodenal biopsy (corresponding to •Marsh 3 histology), adequate sampling and interpretable villus height to crypt depth ratio upon review by our study pathologist - Diagnosed with celiac disease within 4 months of initial study screening - Willingness to use gluten-detection technology - Not currently using a gluten detection technology that tests for gluten in urine or stool - Seeing a clinician at one of the four recruitment sites - Having already had an initial dietitian visit at one of the participating celiac disease centers

Exclusion Criteria

  • Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study - Not planning to follow a gluten-free diet - Concurrent participation in a clinical trial of an experimental pharmacologic agent (for any condition).

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Standard of Care
Participants will be provided with continuous Telehealth dietitian follow-up
  • Behavioral: Gluten detection technology
    Portable technology to sense gluten after ingestion
    Other names:
    • Gluten Detect
  • Behavioral: Continuous telemedicine monitoring
    Regular follow-up with an expert dietitian
Experimental
Standard of Care Plus Technology
In addition to standard of care, participants will be provided with gluten detection technology so as to assist in navigating the gluten-free diet.
  • Behavioral: Gluten detection technology
    Portable technology to sense gluten after ingestion
    Other names:
    • Gluten Detect
  • Behavioral: Continuous telemedicine monitoring
    Regular follow-up with an expert dietitian

Recruiting Locations

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee 37232
Contact:
Dawn Adams, MD
615-936-0192

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Columbia University

Study Contact

Benjamin Lebwohl, MD, MS
212-305-9338
BL114@cumc.columbia.edu

Detailed Description

The proposed project addresses the need for a rigorous trial to test the effectiveness of novel gluten detection technologies as an adjunct to telemedicine to manage celiac disease in adults. Celiac disease affects about 1% of the United States (U.S.) population and seroprevalence has increased up to 5-fold in the U.S. since the 1950's, with diagnosis rates continuing to rise. Morbidity can be severe and includes anemia, infertility, osteoporosis, and malignancies, which can increase all-cause mortality. The only proven therapy is a strict gluten-free diet, the management of which can be extremely challenging and has been linked to diminished quality of life, including anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Despite the recommendation to see a dietitian regularly, many with celiac disease do not see one at all or have only a single session immediately post-diagnosis. The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the rapid adoption of telemedicine in gastroenterology and can facilitate communication between patient and dietitian by eliminating the need to arrange face-to-face meetings at celiac disease centers, which may be at great distance. Self-monitoring with new technologies for gluten detection in urine (e.g., gluten immunogenic peptide kits) can facilitate greater individual awareness of gluten exposures, are commercially available to the public, and have been shown to be valid and reliable. Physicians and dietitians are being asked if this technology should be used, and our preliminary studies have demonstrated acceptability and feasibility, but their impact on clinical outcomes such as mucosal recovery and symptoms has not been established. This U01 proposal is for a multi-center (New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Tennessee) randomized controlled trial (M-RCT) to assess the effectiveness and document costs of gluten detection technologies as an adjunct to telemedicine on behavioral and clinical outcomes among newly diagnosed patients with celiac disease. Participants will be randomized to receive either 1) standard of care (i.e. a one-time in-person dietitian session plus telemedicine dietitian follow-up; or 2) standard of care + gluten detection technology. This would be the first large-scale clinical trial to test the effect of self-monitoring using gluten detection technology in the management of celiac disease. The primary outcome will be mucosal recovery 12-months post-randomization. Secondary outcomes include change in gastrointestinal symptoms, diet adherence, quality of life (including anxiety and depression), eating behaviors, intraepithelial lymphocyte counts on histology, and celiac disease serology, all assessed at baseline and again at 12-months post-randomization. If the primary endpoint of this proposed U01 is met, the intervention will improve mucosal recovery, promote a shift in current practice of celiac disease management toward long-term monitoring, and represent a significant step toward reducing the severe physical and psychological consequences of celiac disease.