Evidence mapPaperPMID 42344820Full record

ReviewCureus2026

Effects of a Gluten-Free Diet on Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Quality of Life in Non-celiac Gluten-Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Shabnam A Memon, Ghazala S Virk, Brahmaiahchari Rangachari, Harshni Kalimuthu, Ishani Jayantibhai Trada, Muhammad Sohail S Mirza, Ahmed Mubarak

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Shabnam A MemonObstetrics and Gynaecology, CU Shah Medical College, Ahmedabad, IND.
Ghazala S VirkInternal Medicine, Avalon University School of Medicine, Youngstown, USA.
Brahmaiahchari RangachariBiomedical Sciences, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Pikeville, Pikeville, USA.
Harshni KalimuthuMedical School, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, IND.
Ishani Jayantibhai TradaInternal Medicine, American University of Barbados, Bridgetown, BRB.
Muhammad Sohail S MirzaInternal Medicine, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, CHN.
Ahmed MubarakMedical School, University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, SDN.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a gastrointestinal and extraintestinal condition characterized by symptoms triggered by the ingestion of gluten, but it does not involve celiac disease (CD) or an allergic reaction to wheat. This meta-analysis and systematic evaluation were intended to determine the impact of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on gastrointestinal symptom reduction and quality of life (QoL) in NCGS patients. We filtered studies published from 2010 to 2025, focusing on randomized controlled trials and observational studies. The findings showed that GFD significantly promoted gastrointestinal signs and symptoms and QoL, and the pooled effect was 0.88 (95% CI = 0.20-1.55), which showed a marginal effect. Nonetheless, significant heterogeneity was observed (I² = 97.77%), suggesting that variability in effects may be attributed to differences in study design, participant characteristics, and adherence to the diet. Subgroup analysis suggested a larger pooled effect among participants with NCGS (pooled effect size = 0.93) than among participants with CD or less clearly defined gluten-related sensitivity (pooled effect size = 0.74). However, high heterogeneity within the NCGS subgroup indicates the need for further well-designed studies. The evaluation indicates that adherence and baseline symptom severity are key factors influencing the efficacy of diet. Publication bias was not identified as a major concern, as suggested by the relatively symmetrical funnel plot and the non-significant results of the statistical tests. Overall, this meta-analysis suggests that a GFD may be a useful intervention for patients with NCGS; however, individualized dietary management is needed because responses may vary across patients.

Indexed as

gastrointestinal symptomsgluten-free dietmeta-analysisnon-celiac gluten-related disordersnon-celiac gluten sensitivitynon-celiac gluten sensitivity (ncgs)quality of life (qol)

Identifiers

PMID42344820
PMCPMC13289799

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.