The gluten-free diet is used by persons who are
gluten-sensitive to prevent damage to their small intestines
and to prevent serious complications such as
gastrointestinal cancers, iron-deficiency anemia, and
decreased bone mineral density.
A gluten-free diet has been shown to greatly reduce
the risk for cancer and overall mortality for individuals
with symptomatic celiac disease.
For many people with celiac disease, following a
gluten-free diet will stop the symptoms of the disease
and result in improved health, usually within several
months (for some persons, recovery may take up to one
year)
However, the health of some people with extensive
damage to their small intestines may not improve.
Refractory coeliac disease (RCD) is a rare syndrome
with a poor prognosis, defined by malabsorption due
to gluten-related enteropathy after initial or subsequent
failure of a strict gluten-free diet and after exclusion
of any other disease or disorder mimicking celiac
disease.
Other treatments may be necessary to treat the
RCD, such as the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressant
drugs, but data on their effectiveness is
lacking.
