An intestinal disorder causing failure to absorb nutrients from food. (See also sprue, tropical; coeliac disease.)
sprue, tropical A disease of the small intestine that causes failure to absorb nutrients from food. It occurs mainly in India, the Far East, and the Caribbean. Sprue leads to malnutrition and megaloblastic anaemia. It may be due to an intestinal infection. Symptoms include appetite and weight loss, an inflamed mouth, and fatty diarrhoea. Diagnosis is confirmed by jejunal biopsy. Sprue responds well to antibiotic drug treatment and vitamin and mineral supplements. sputum Mucous material produced by cells lining the respiratory tract. Sputum production may be increased by respiratory tract infection, an allergic reaction (see asthma), or inhalation of irritants.
A disease occurring most commonly in patients in or from the tropics, and characterised by diarrhoea with large, fatty stools; ANAEMIA; sore tongue; and weight loss. Its manifestations resemble those of non-tropical sprue, or gluten enteropathy, and COELIAC DISEASE.
Causes Tropical sprue is thought to be due to an inborn error of metabolism, characterised primarily by an inability to absorb fats from the intestines. Its epidemiological pattern suggests that an infection such as DYSENTERY may be the precipitating factor. Subsequently there is interference with the absorption of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, leading to anaemia and HYPOCALCAEMIA.
Symptoms Of gradual or rapid onset, there is initial weakness, soreness of the tongue, dif?culty swallowing, indigestion, diarrhoea and poor appetite. Anaemia is typically macrocytic, and mild HYPOGLYCAEMIA may occur. Untreated, the patient steadily loses weight and, unless appropriate treatment is started early, death may be expected because of exhaustion and some intercurrent infection.
Treatment This consists of bed rest, a high-protein diet (initially skimmed milk), and treatment of the anaemia and any other de?ciencies present. Minimum fat should be given to sufferers, who should also take folic acid and cyanocobalamin for the anaemia; large vitamin-B-complex supplements (such as Marmite®) are helpful. Vitamins A and D, together with calcium supplements, help to raise the concentration of calcium in the blood. A long convalescence is often required, which may lead to marked depression, and patients should be sent home to a temperate climate.
Non-tropical sprue is the result of GLUTEN hypersensitivty and is treated with a gluten-free diet.
(psilosis) n. impaired absorption of food due to disease of the small intestine. Tropical sprue is seen in people from temperate regions who move to the tropics. It is characterized by diarrhoea (usually *steatorrhoea), an inflamed tongue (glossitis), anaemia, and weight loss; the lining of the small intestine becomes inflamed and atrophied, leading to vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies. Its cause is unknown, but infection is most likely. Treatment with antibiotics and *folic acid is usually effective, but the condition often improves spontaneously on return to a temperate climate. See also coeliac disease; malabsorption.
Health Encyclopedia