Gifq185

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDs) with at least four biopsies obtained from the second part of the duodenum was performed in all patients using a flexible video-gastro scope (Olympus GIF-Q165, GIFQ185). A subgroup of CD patients underwent endoscopic histologic re-evaluation in a period ranging from 12 to 30 months after beginning the GFD.
The same pathologist expert in the field of CD, who was blinded to clinical data, examined the intestinal biopsies for each patient both at diagnosis and follow-up. Biopsies were analysed after haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining for CD3 counts and were assessed using the Marsh classification system modified by Oberhuber [16 (link),17 (link)]. The histological persistence of the above-listed alterations was described and classified as Marsh 1, Marsh 2, or Marsh 3 (A, B, or C), as previously defined.

EGDS with at least four biopsies obtained from the second part of the duodenum was performed in all patients using a flexible video-gastroscope (Olympus GIF-Q165, GIFQ185). All included patients underwent EGDS at diagnosis and histological re-evaluation in a period ranging from 12 to 28 months after beginning an adequate GFD.
The same expert pathologist in the field of CD (E.P.), who was blinded to clinical data, examined the intestinal biopsies for each patient both at diagnosis and follow-up. Biopsies were analyzed after hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining for CD3 counts and were assessed using the Marsh classification system modified by Oberhuber [20 (link),22 (link)]. The histological persistence of the above-listed alterations was described and classified as Marsh 1, Marsh 2 or Marsh 3 (A, B or C), as previously defined. To assess the concomitant presence of Helicobacter pylori (H.p.) infection and/or other gastric diseases, at least five gastric biopsies (1 from the lesser and 1 from the greater curve of the antrum, 1 from angular incisura and 2 from the corpus/fundus) were taken at CD diagnosis and at the time of re-evaluation according to the updated Sydney system [23 (link)].