Celiac disease: a multisystem autoimmune disorder.

Just a few years ago, celiac disease was thought to be relatively rare in the United States, but recent data suggest celiac disease may affect 3 million Americans of all ages, many of whom have no diagnosis of the disease. With increased awareness of this disease among adult and pediatric primary care providers, there undoubtedly will be an increase in the number of persons being evaluated for celiac disease in outpatient diagnostic centers and gastroenterology practices. Gastroenterology nurses, therefore, need to have a thorough understanding of celiac disease to fully participate as members of the multidisciplinary team required to manage this challenging disease. This article discusses the pathogenesis, prevalence, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, management, and complications of celiac disease.