Gluten enteropathy: current views on diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Gluten enteropathy, widely known as celiac sprue, is an
“old” disease as its basic clinical and pathogenetic features
where established 50 years ago. Recently mounting new data
have come to light concerning multiple aspects of this disorder.
The previously rare clinical entity that presented with
a severe chronic diarrheal syndrome following the congestion
of certain cereals has changed to a common autoimmune
related disease with various manifestations, genetic
background and new modes of diagnosis and possible treatment.
The contemporary gastroenterologist needs to be
aware of all the new “tips and tricks” which will guide his
thoughts in suspecting celiac disease and be able to recognize
it promptly and reliably. This is clearly important as
gluten enteropathy proves itself to be a treatable disease
but with insidious and devastating complications if left
untreated. In this review an effort has been made to encompass
all the recently acquired knowledge concerning the
clinical presentation, serologic detection, endoscopic signs,
histologic findings and treatment of celiac disease.
Keywords: celiac, gluten, treatment, diagnosis, serology, histology,
endoscopic markers, refractory sprue