· The test uses endomicroscopy to help detect food intolerance in patients with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms.
· It allows doctors to observe how cells in the small intestine respond to specific foods in real time during the examination.
· It supports personalised dietary guidance and care plans to help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Abu Dhabi (ALETIHAD)
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is offering an advanced food intolerance test using endomicroscopy for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa. Approved by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the technology allows doctors to see how intestinal cells respond to specific foods in real time during the examination, helping them identify foods the patient may not tolerate, to provide personalised dietary recommendations, and develop care plans tailored to each patient’s long-term needs.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s approval of the technology forms part of its efforts to support the use of advanced medical technologies, helping advance diagnostic methods and improve the quality of patient care.
During the examination, small amounts of food particles are introduced directly into the small intestine. Doctors use an endoscope equipped with microscopic imaging technology to observe how intestinal cells respond to these foods. The procedure is performed under sedation and typically takes less than an hour.
The test involves an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and is intended for patients experiencing chronic food-related symptoms, such as persistent bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain and digestive discomfort, based on a specialist’s assessment.
Dr Sacha Sidani, Staff Physician, Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi said: “Many patients with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms spend years searching for answers.
This technology allows us to see what happens at a cellular level in the intestines, giving us a level of diagnostic precision that was not previously possible. By identifying the exact foods triggering the patient’s symptoms, we can provide personalised, effective care to significantly improve their quality of life.”
Persistent discomfort and uncertainty about their causes can lead some patients to exclude broad groups of foods without medical guidance, potentially affecting their nutritional balance.
This advanced test complements conventional food allergy tests by providing additional information that may help identify underlying causes that have remained unexplained for years in some patients. It enables more targeted, evidence-based dietary management, helps reduce unnecessary restrictions and supports more personalized care planning.
The medical team determines whether the test is suitable for each patient and provides preparation and recovery instructions tailored to their condition. To prepare, patients are required to follow a specialised hypoallergenic diet for two weeks and fast for eight hours prior to the test. Recovery is typically rapid, with most patients able to resume eating within an hour and return to normal activities the following day.
Recognised by Newsweek in its inaugural Best Specialized Hospitals Middle East 2026 rankings as the top hospital for gastroenterology in the region, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi continues to advance precision medicine and advanced diagnostics, offering new clarity for patients with chronic, unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s growing role in shaping the future of specialised healthcare.