Celiac Disease

Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy

An autoimmune disorder in which consuming gluten triggers immune-mediated damage to the small intestine.

Celiac disease is triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically susceptible individuals, causing villous atrophy and malabsorption. A strict, lifelong gluten-free diet is the only established treatment and results in mucosal healing in most patients. Supplementation for nutritional deficiencies (iron, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D) is frequently needed at diagnosis.