Sprue - Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine caused by gluten intolerance in genetically predisposed individuals. It is a chronic disease characterized by mucosal lesions of the small bowel that impair nutrient absorption (van den Bosch, 1996).The symptoms are wide ranging, show significant variation among patients, and largely depend on the length and severity of damage to the small bowel. The classic clinical presentation is malabsorption and includes diarrhea, steatorrhea, flatulence, weight loss, and fatigue. Associated ...