Also referred to as: gluten-sensitive enteropathy, non-tropical sprue
What is it? Coeliac disease is an
autoimmune disease. Gluten, a
protein found in products made from wheat and similar proteins in barley, rye and to a lesser extent oats reacts with the lining of the gut, triggering the person's
immune system to attack the gut. This can lead to a loss of ability to absorb food containing iron and vitamins. In mild cases, the disease may have few symptoms, though if severe can lead to
malnutrition (weight loss in adults, growth delay and failure to gain weight in children) and malabsorption (diarrhoea and foul smelling bowel motions that float and have a greasy appearance). Most patients are detected in the early phase of the illness.
TestsA number of
autoantibodies not normally present in the blood may be detected in sufferers of this condition, e.g. anti-tissue transglutaminase or anti-endomysial antibodies are usually only found in coeliac disease, while anti-gliadin antibodies are found in fewer persons with coeliac disease and can sometimes be positive in other diseases or in normal individuals. At the present time, endoscopy and biopsy of the gut is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment consists of absolute avoidance of gluten containing products. This means foods derived from wheat, rye, or barley. Oats may be able to be tolerated by some individuals.
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