Genetics of Celiac Disease
Nadia Arora, ND

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Abstract

Celiac disease, also called celiac sprue, non-tropical sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is a condition characterized by chronic immune reaction in the intestines, precipitated by the ingestion of wheat, barley or rye in the genetically susceptible individuals. Chronic immune reaction causes gradual destruction of the intestinal villi - structures that are responsible for food absorption and assimilation. As a result of the destruction of the villi, an affected person becomes unable to digest and absorb food properly, which leads to multiple nutritional deficiencies.

Classic celiac disease presents with the intestinal symptoms within the first 2 years, soon after the introduction of gluten into the diet. Celiac disease is characterized by a wide clinical heterogeneity. Diarrhea, anemia, weight loss and osteoporosis are considered typical symptoms of celiac disease; however, only half of the affected individuals present with such symptoms. Large portion of the patients with celiac disease have non-specific symptoms, such as infertility, muscle pain, depression and seizures; and some patients are asymptomatic. In addition, the onset of symptoms may occur in the second or fourth decade of life, or at any age.

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• Treatment of celiac disease
• Prevalence of celiac disease worldwide
• Inheritance of celiac disease
• HLA class II gene in celiac disease
• Non-HLA genes and chromosomes in celiac disease
• Other conditions associated with celiac disease
• Genetic testing: applications and limitations

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