Background: Non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity (NCGWS) is a syndrome for which pathogenesis and management remain debated. It is described as a condition characterized by gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms rapidly occurring after gluten ingestion in subjects who have had celiac disease or wheat allergy excluded. To date, the diagnosis of NCGWS is challenging as no universally recognized biomarkers have been yet identified, nor has a predisposing genetic profile been described. However, the research is moving fast, and new data regarding pathogenic pathways, patients’ classification, potential candidate biomarkers, and dietary interventions are emerging. Methods: This literature review aims to address the state of the art and summarize the latest updates in this field from 2019 to date. Results and Conclusions: Clinical studies regarding NCGWS in the last five years are reported to shed light on this complex condition and to guide specialists towards a more in-depth, prompt, and objective diagnosis.

Background Ultra-short coeliac disease (USCD) is defined as villous atrophy only present in the duodenal bulb (D1) with concurrent positive coeliac serology. We present the first, multicentre, international study of patients with USCD. Methods Patients with USCD were identified from 10 tertiary hospitals (6 from Europe, 2 from Asia, 1 from North America and 1 from Australasia) and compared with age-matched and sex-matched patients with conventional coeliac disease. Findings Patients with USCD (n=137, median age 27 years, IQR 21–43 years; 73% female) were younger than those with conventional coeliac disease (27 vs 38 years, respectively, p<0.001). Immunoglobulin A-tissue transglutaminase (IgA-tTG) titres at index gastroscopy were lower in patients with USCD versus conventional coeliac disease (1.8×upper limit of normal (ULN) (IQR 1.1–5.9) vs 12.6×ULN (IQR 3.3–18.3), p<0.001). Patients with USCD had the same number of symptoms overall (median 3 (IQR 2–4) vs 3 (IQR 1–4), p=0.875). Patients with USCD experienced less iron deficiency (41.8% vs 22.4%, p=0.006). Both USCD and conventional coeliac disease had the same intraepithelial lymphocytes immunophenotype staining pattern; positive for CD3 and CD8, but not CD4. At follow-up having commenced a gluten-free diet (GFD) (median of 1181 days IQR: 440–2160 days) both USCD and the age-matched and sex-matched controls experienced a similar reduction in IgA-tTG titres (0.5 ULN (IQR 0.2–1.4) vs 0.7 ULN (IQR 0.2–2.6), p=0.312). 95.7% of patients with USCD reported a clinical improvement in their symptoms. Interpretation Patients with USCD are younger, have a similar symptomatic burden and benefit from a GFD. This study endorses the recommendation of D1 sampling as part of the endoscopic coeliac disease diagnostic workup.

Objective Shape of Training has shortened the gastroenterology curriculum in the UK from a 5 to 4-year programme. There are ongoing concerns that this will negatively impact training and the attainment of competencies expected at consultant level. We undertook a UK-wide survey of gastroenterology trainees to establish their views. Method The British Society of Gastroenterology Trainees Section collected anonymised survey responses from trainees between June and September 2022 via an online platform. Results 40.3% of trainees responded. Strikingly, only 10% of respondents felt they could achieve certificate of completion of training (CCT) within a 4-year programme. Furthermore, 31% were not confident they would attain the required expertise in their subspecialist interest during training. 70.8% reported spending a quarter or more of their training in general internal medicine (GIM) and 71.6% felt this negatively impacted on their gastroenterology training. Only 21.6% of respondents plan to pursue a consultant post with GIM commitments. Regarding endoscopy, only 36.1% of ST7s had provisional and 22.2% full accreditation in colonoscopy. Although 92.3% of respondents wanted exposure to a ‘bleed rota’, this was the case for only 16.2%. Teaching quality was judged to be insufficient by 45.9% of respondents. Conclusion Respondents had struggled to achieve the necessary competencies for CCT even prior to the newly reduced 4-year curriculum. While still maintaining service provision, we must safeguard gastroenterology training from encroaching GIM commitments. This will be critical in order to provide capable consultants of the future and prevent UK standards from falling behind internationally.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted training. Gastroenterology higher specialty training is soon to be reduced from 5 years to 4. The British Society of Gastroenterology Trainees Section biennial survey aims to delineate the impact of COVID-19 on training and the opinions on changes to training. Methods An electronic survey allowing for anonymised responses at the point of completion was distributed to all gastroenterology trainees from September to November 2020. Results During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, 71.0% of the respondents stated that more than 50% of their clinical time was mostly within general internal medicine. Trainees reported a significant impact on all aspects of their gastroenterology training due to lost training opportunities and increasing service commitments. During the first wave, 88.5% of the respondents reported no access to endoscopy training lists. Since this time, 66.2% of the respondents stated that their endoscopy training lists had restarted. This has resulted in fewer respondents achieving endoscopy accreditation. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused 42.2% of the respondents to consider extending their training to obtain the skills required to complete training. Furthermore, 10.0% of the respondents reported concerns of a delay to completion of training. The majority of respondents (84.2%) reported that they would not feel ready to be a consultant after 4 years of training. Conclusions Reductions in all aspects of gastroenterology training were reported. This is mirrored in anticipated concerns about completion of training in a shorter training programme as proposed in the new curriculum. Work is now required to ensure training is restored following the pandemic.

Introduction: The role of a gluten-free diet (GFD) in Non-Coeliac Gluten/Wheat Sensitivity (NCGWS) is unclear. We present the largest study comparing adherence to a GFD in patients with Coeliac Disease (CD) and NCGWS and assess its impact on quality of life (QoL) and sleep in patients with NCGWS. Methods: Patients with NCGWS at a tertiary centre completed the Coeliac Disease Adherence Test (CDAT), Coeliac Symptom Index (CSI) and Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI). Higher CDAT scores indicate worse adherence, higher CSI scores indicate poorer QoL, and higher SCI scores indicate better sleep. CDAT scores were correlated with CSI and SCI scores. A second group of patients with CD completed the CDAT questionnaire only. Results were compared with the CDAT responses from the NCGWS group. Results: For the NCGWS cohort (n = 125), the median CDAT score was 17/35, indicating poor adherence. The median CSI score was 44/80, with 40% of scores associated with a poor QoL. The median SCI score was 14/32, and DSM-V criteria for insomnia was met by 42% of patients. There was a positive correlation between CSI and CDAT scores (r = 0.59, p < 0.0001) and a negative correlation between SCI and CDAT scores (r = −0.37, p = 0.0002). In the CD cohort (n = 170), the median CDAT score was 13/35. Patients with NCGWS had poorer adherence compared to CD (CDAT: 17.0 vs. 13.0, respectively, p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Patients with NCGWS adhere to a GFD less than those with CD. Poorer adherence to a GFD in patients with NCGWS correlates with a worse QoL and sleep performance.

Objective To assess the risks and benefits of reverse mentoring of consultants by junior doctors. Design A feasibility study divided into two phases: first a semistructured interview where performance of participating consultants was assessed by junior doctors and then a second phase allowing for feedback to be given on a one-to-one basis. Data collected through questionnaires with free text questions and Likert scores. Setting Tertiary teaching hospital in the UK. Participants Six junior doctors (66.6% male, age range 31–40 years) and five consultants (80% male, age range 35–65 years and consultants for 5–20 years). Intervention Reverse mentoring session. Main outcome measure The concerns and/or benefits of the process of reverse mentoring. Confidence was assessed in 7 domains: clinical practice, approach to juniors, approachability, use of technology, time management, strengths and areas for improvement using Likert scales giving a total out of 35. Results The most common concerns cited were overcoming the hierarchical difference and a selection bias in both mentors and mentees. However, no participant experienced this hierarchical difference through the reverse mentoring process and no relationships were negatively affected. Mentors became more confident in feeding back to seniors (23 vs 29 out of 35, p=0.04) most evident in clinical practice and areas to improve (3 vs 4 out of 5, p=0.041 and 3 vs 5 out of 5, p=0.041, respectively). Conclusion We present the first study of reverse mentoring in an NHS clinical setting. Initial concerns with regard to damaged relationships and hierarchical gradients were not experienced and all participants perceived that they benefited from the process. Reverse mentoring can play a role in engaging and training future leaders at junior stages and provide a means for consultants to receive valuable feedback from junior colleagues.