Refractory Sprue

Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Refractory Sprue is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

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• Intractable Celiac Sprue
• Unclassified Celiac Sprue
• Refractory Celiac Disease

Disorder Subdivisions

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• None

General Discussion

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Refractory sprue (RS) is a complex autoimmune disorder much like the more common celiac sprue but, unlike celiac sprue, it is resistant or unresponsive to six months of treatment with a strict gluten-free diet. Gliadin, a component of the wheat storage protein gluten, together with similar proteins in barley and rye, are the villains that trigger the immune reaction in celiac sprue. The diagnosis of RS is made by exclusion, especially of any other disorder that can affect the huge number of thread-like projections that line the interior of the intestine (intestinal villi), such as intestinal lymphoma, Crohn’s disease, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.



The intestinal villi are the means by which the gut absorbs fluids and nutrients. In celiac sprue and refractory sprue, these villi shrink and shrivel (atrophy) affecting the absorption of nutrients via the intestines. In celiac sprue, treatment by means of a strict gluten-free diet is usually sufficient to overcome the disorder. However, refractory sprue is just that: refractory or stubbornly resistant to treatment. Only a small percentage of the people with celiac sprue will develop RS, and these patients are almost invariably 30 years of age or older. However, as yet, it is difficult to predict which patient of those with celiac sprue will develop RS.

Resources

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Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Inc. (AGMD)

AGMD International Corporate Headquarters

12 Roberts Drive

Bedford, MA 01730

Tel: (781)275-1300

Fax: (781)275-1304

Email: digestive.motility@gmail.com

Internet: http://www.agmd-gimotility.org



Gluten Intolerance Group of North America

15110 10th Avenue SW

Suite A

Seattle, WA 98166-1820

Tel: (206)246-6652

Fax: (206)246-6531

Email: info@gluten.net

Internet: http://www.gluten.net



Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America

386 Park Avenue South

17th Floor

New York, NY 10016-9804

USA

Tel: 2126853440

Fax: 2127794098

Tel: 8009322423

Email: info@ccfa.org

Internet: http://www.ccfa.org



Celiac Sprue Association/USA, Inc.

P.O. Box 31700

Omaha, NE 68131-0700

USA

Tel: 4025580600

Fax: 4026434108

Tel: 8772724272

Email: celiacs@csaceliacs.org

Internet: http://www.csaceliacs.org



NIH/National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

2 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892-3570

Tel: (301)654-3810

Fax: (301)907-8906

Tel: (800)891-5389

Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov

Internet: http://www.niddk.nih.gov



International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

P.O. Box 170864

Milwaukee, WI 53217

USA

Tel: 4149641799

Fax: 4149647176

Tel: 8889642001

Email: iffgd@iffgd.org

Internet: http://www.iffgd.org



American Celiac Society-Dietary Support Coalition

P.O. Box 23455

New Orleans, LA 70183

Tel: (504)737-3293

Email: americanceliacsociety@yahoo.com



Celiac Disease Foundation

13251 Ventura Boulevard

Suite 1

Studio City, CA 91604

USA

Tel: 8189902354

Fax: 8189902379

Email: cdf@celiac.org

Internet: http://www.celiac.org



American Dietetic Association

216 West Jackson Boulevard

Suite 800

Chicago, IL 60606-6995

Tel: (312)899-0400

Fax: (312)899-4899

Tel: (800)877-1600

Email: infocenter@eatright.org

Internet: http://www.eatright.org

For a Complete Report

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This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

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Copyright   2006 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.