Effects of Gluten Free Diet on Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by demyelinated lesions in the Central Nervous System. Autoimmunedisorders such as MS are hypothesized to be kind of atypical celiac disease. Gluten sensitivity or celiac disease is a common condition that affects 1-2% of the population worldwide. Atypical form of celiac can present with extra-intestinal manifestations such as autoimmune diseases. A strict Gluten Free diet is the prominent treatment for celiac disease and also the autoimmune disorders which arises secondary to celiac. The aim of the present study was to systematically review current literature on the impact of gluten free diet on multiple sclerosis. PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science were searched for clinical trials until 5 March 2019 using the following keywords: MS , Multiple Sclerosis , Autoimmune , Gluten free , Free of Gluten , Gluten Free Diet , Diet , GFD without any filters activated. Fatigue Severity Scale, Mental Quality and Annual Relapse Rate were considered as the primary outcome. In 2 studies, glutenfree diet was effective in decreasing patients scores of Fatigue Severity Scale. Also increased patient’s quality of life in physical subscales was seen. The duration of diet implementation in these two studies was 3.5 and 12 months. Only in one study, mental quality of lifeincreased with gluten free diet. Another study revealed that after 4.5 years of gluten free diet, lesion activity and also values of Expanded Disability Scale decreased significantly. Gluten free diet might lead to decreased fatigue, and increased quality of life in multiple sclerosispatients. Also it may be effective in decreasing disease activity. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to determine effects of gluten free diet on relapse rate and long term quality of life.