Spectrum of malabsorption in India--tropical sprue is still the leader.
BACKGROUND
Two decades ago tropical sprue, Immunoproliferative Small Intestinal Disease (IPSID) and infections were common causes of malabsorption in India. It is possible that implementation of preventive health measures and improved sanitation may have changed the spectrum of disorders causing malabsorption. The aim of this study therefore was to assess the spectrum of malabsorption seen at our center during the past nine years.


METHODS
Patients seen at our center with malabsorption from January 2000 to December 2008 were included in this study. The etiological, clinical and investigation details were recorded on uniform structured data forms. The data obtained was retrospectively analyzed.


RESULTS
Malabsorption was detected in 124 patients during the study period. The mean age of patients was 31.9+16 years and 60.5% were males. Tropical sprue was the commonest etiology (29%) followed by celiac and Crohn's disease (15.3% each). Other important etiologies included parasitic infestations (9.7%) and immune deficiency disorders (5.6%). Intestinal tuberculosis was seen in only 2.4% patients.


CONCLUSIONS
We are witnessing a change in etiological spectrum of malabsorption . Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disorders are emerging as important causes and ImmunoProliferative Small Intestinal Disease (IPSID) and intestinal tuberculosis are on the decline. Tropical Sprue however continues to be the commonest cause as in the past.
Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore 632 004.
A K
AK
Dutta
A
A
Balekuduru
A
A
Chacko
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005223:Fats / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013182:Sprue, Tropical / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014994:Xylose / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D055815:Young Adult
D005223:Fats; D014994:Xylose