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, barley, rye and oats reacts with the lining of the gut in this condition, causing damage and preventing normal absorption of food. In mild cases, it may be difficult to diagnose, but when severe can cause evidence of
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).
TestsA number of autoantibodies not normally present in the blood may be detected in sufferers of this condition, e.g. anti-endomysial or transglutaminase antibodies are usually found only in coeliac disease, while anti-gliadin antibodies are found in fewer persons with coeliac disease and can sometimes be positive in other diseases as well.
Endoscopy may be required to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment consists of restricting gluten in the diet.
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