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Celiac disease - sprue

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

Celiac disease is an inherited, autoimmune disease. The lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten and other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats.

The intestines contain projections (called villi) that absorb nutrients. In undiagnosed or untreated celiac disease, these villi become flattened, and the ability to absorb nutrients properly is altered. As a result, several other organ systems may also be affected. The disease can develop at any point in life, from infancy to late adulthood.

Alternative Names:

Sprue; Nontropical sprue; Gluten intolerance; Gluten-sensitive enteropathy

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown. Once thought rare, celiac disease has recently been estimated to affect 1 of every 133 Americans. However, only a small fraction of people living with celiac disease in the United States have been diagnosed at this time.

Those with a family member with celiac disease are at greater risk for developing the disease. The disorder is most common in Caucasians and those of European ancestry. Women are affected more commonly than men.

There are numerous diseases and conditions associated with celiac disease, including:

• Anemia
• Lactose intolerance
• Dermatitis herpetiformis (a burning, itching, blistering rash), and other skin disorders
• Type 1 diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Down syndrome
• Unexplained infertility
• Miscarriage
• Osteoporosis or osteopenia
• Certain types of intestinal cancer
• Neurological conditions
• Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

• Review Date: 10/27/2005
• Reviewed By: Courtney W. Houchen, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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