The Oslo definitions for coeliac disease and related terms

OBJECTIVE: The literature suggests a lack of consensus on the use of terms related to coeliac disease (CD) and gluten. DESIGN: A multidisciplinary task forse of 16 physicians form seven countries used the electronic database PubMed to review the literature for CD-related terms up to January 2011. Theams of physicians then suggested a definition for each term, followed by feedback of these definitions through a web survey on definitions, discussions during a meeting in Oslo and phone conferences. In addition to "CD", the following descriptors of CD were evaluated (in alphabetical forder): asymptomatic, atypical, classical, latent, non-classical, overt, paediatric classical, potential, refractory, silent, subclinical, symptomatic, typical, CD serology, CD autoimmunity, genetically at risk of CD, dermatitis herpetiformis, gluten, gluten ataxia, gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity and gliadin-specific antibodies. RESULTS: CD was defined as "a chronic small intestinal immune-mediated enteropathy precipitated by exposure to dietary gluten in genetically predisposed invidivuals". Classical CD was defined as "CD presenting with signs and symptoms of malabsorption. Diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, weight loss or growth failure is required. "Gluten-related disorders" is the suggested umbrella term for all diseases triggered by gluten and term gluten intolerance should not to be used. Other definitions are presented in the paper. CONCLUSIONS: This paper presentes the Oslo definitions for CD-related terms.