Abstract
Coeliac disease (non-tropical sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy) is a chronic digestive insufficiency due to gluten-intolerance. Gluten or gliadin can be found in cereal products. There is a genetical predisposition and the disease tends to run in families. Atrophy of the villi in the small intestine is typical and leads to malabsorption and maldigestion. About one in 1000 people are affected, and more often women than men. Characteristic signs and symptoms include diarrhoea, flatulence, weight loss, and iron deficiency anaemia. However, cases with only few symptoms and the clinical picture of irritable colon or isolated lipase increase are not uncommon. Coeliac disease can be diagnosed by a biopsy of the mucosa of the duodenum and by detecting anti-transglutaminase antibodies. The only effective treatment is a strictly gluten-free diet. Immunosuppressive treatment is only rarely necessary. T-cell lymphoma of the small intestine is a long-term complication of insufficiently treated coeliac disease.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: DoctorConsult – The Journal. Wissen für Klinik und Praxis
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
