J.A.O.A. - New strategies for dx and mgmnt of CD (2006)

[aklap]

New strategies for diagnosis and management of celiac disease.

http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/106/3/145

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2006 Mar;106(3):145-51.


Westerberg DP, Gill JM, Dave B, DiPrinzio MJ, Quisel A, Foy A.

Family and Community Medicine, Christiana Care Health System, 1401 Foulk Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803-2764, USA. DWesterberg@Christianacare.org

Celiac disease is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by inflammation, leading to injury to the mucosal lining of the small intestine. The inflammation occurs when gliadin, a protein found in such gluten-containing foods as wheat, rye, and barley, is ingested by genetically susceptible individuals. The mucosal damage and subsequent malabsorption of nutrients leads to various complications. Researchers estimate that more than 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease-a prevalence that is greater than was previously believed. Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed annually with celiac disease. Until recently, diagnosis has been complicated by the fact that the indicators of celiac disease are nonspecific. However, because of the development of new, easy-to-administer serology tests, diagnosis has become much less complicated. [Now we just need to get the doctors to know about these easy to administer tests and use them!!]After conducting a review of the literature, the authors recommend a serologic testing sequence for diagnosis of celiac disease and urge that adults and children with an assortment of symptoms be tested for this disease. Common signs and symptoms of celiac disease include anemia, arthralgia, fatigue, infertility, neuropathy, and weight loss, in addition to such gastrointestinal symptomatology as abdominal pain, anorexia, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. The only treatment for patients with celiac disease remains a gluten-free diet.

PMID: 16585382 [PubMed - in process]



Thousands of patients in the United States suffer needlessly from celiac disease. Yet, these patients are not without symptoms—though the symptoms may be subtle. For this reason, physicians need to consider celiac disease in their differential diagnoses for many of their patients. The goals of the present article are to increase physician awareness of celiac disease and to outline a strategy for diagnosis and treatment to benefit the greatest number of patients.

I think we will all AGREE with this...


Gluten-free foods may be...less appealing to personal tastes than food that patients are used to eating.

I think we will all DISAGREE with this...
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa