Celiac disease is an inflammatory disease that destroys the lining of the small intestine and prevents the absorption of nutrients and vitamins into the system. Patient health suffers; their digestive system is unable to process foods containing gluten, wheat, barley and oats. The cause of this disease is unknown; however, environmental factors and genetic predisposition are suspected. Destructive proteins containing abundant proline and glutamine as well as the amino acid sequences Pro-Ser-Gln-Gln and Gln-Gln-Gln-Pro) are involved. 33-MER peptides can no longer be broken down. When gluten is absorbed by the body, 33-MER stimulates T cells to produce antibodies and triggers an autoimmune response that slowly (IgA-mediated) damages and destroys the surface villi. Additionally, it reduces the amount of activity and decreases the amount of enzymes in the surface epithelium. Nutrients are not absorbed, so patients become malnourished regardless of the amount of food eaten. There is a strong familial genetic predisposition to this disease, particularly with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes DR3, DQ2 and DQ8. The Caucasian population and people of European descent suffer from celiac disease. Additionally, women appear to have a higher prevalence than men of this disease. The incidence among the general population is 1 in 3,000 citizens. People of Mediterranean and African ancestry, Jews, and Asian cultures rarely suffer from this disease. Children may also be affected. Patients who suffer from celiac disease may also suffer from other autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, systemic lupus, sojourn syndrome, Down syndrome, intestinal cancer, lactose intolerance, diabetes. type I, intestinal failure... middle of article..... .://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/celiac_disease/test.html. Accessed April 7, 2011.11. Sprue Celiac Association. Treatment of celiac disease. Available at http://www.csaceliacs.org/celiac_treatment.php. Accessed April 10, 2011.12. Celiac Disease Treatment Website. Available at http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-treatment. Accessed April 10, 2011.13.Celiac Sprue. The Merck Manual. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec02/ch017/ch017d.html?qt=celiac%20disease&alt=sh#sec02-ch017-ch017d-1053 Accessed April 10, 2011.14. Celiac disease. Available at: http://www.answers.com/topic/what-is-the-prognosis-for-celiac-disease Accessed April 10, 2011.15. Celiac disease. Available at: http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/assets/downloads/en/pdf/guidelines/04_celiac_disease.pdf Accessed April 10, 2011.