July 19, 2006 -- NIH Calls Attention to Celiac Disease

The federal National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) said yesterday that it's launching a campaign to heighten awareness of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that interferes with absorption of nutrients from food, specifically protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Celiac disease has a number of symptoms, including intestinal disturbance, skin rashes, and delayed growth, the agency pointed out, and the only known treatment is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. The current campaign is intended to make physicians and the public more aware of the disease, in the hope that will lead to "early diagnosis and better outcomes" for celiac patients. Information is available at www.celiac.nih.gov.