Immunohistochemical and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement analyses as predictors of morbidity and mortality in refractory celiac disease.

Study: IEL phenotype by immunohistochemistry and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction were assessed in 73 RCD patients (type I=67, type II=6). Detection of a monoclonal TCR gene rearrangement and presence of <50% CD3 CD8 IELs were considered abnormal. Time to worsening of clinical symptoms and predictors of worsening were calculated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard analyses.