Response of the jejunal mucosa in adult coeliac disease to oral prednisolone

Five patients with adult coeliac disease were treated with prednisolone for four to five weeks while continuing a normal gluten-containing diet. A prompt histological, ultrastructural and enzymic recovery of the jejunal mucosa in all five was accompanied by an incomplete metabolic response in three of four patients tested. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible immunological pathogenesis of coeliac disease.