Which symptom is characteristic of celiac disease?

The characteristic symptom of celiac disease is steatorrhea, which refers to the presence of excess fat in the stool. This occurs as a result of malabsorption due to damage to the intestinal lining caused by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. In celiac disease, the body’s immune response to gluten leads to inflammation and villous atrophy in the small intestine, severely impairing nutrient absorption, particularly fats. As a result, individuals may experience bulky, pale, and foul-smelling stools that can float, a direct indicator of fat being improperly absorbed.

Increased appetite is typically not associated with celiac disease; instead, patients often experience weight loss due to malabsorption. Constipation can occur in some individuals but is not a defining symptom of celiac disease. Hematemesis, or vomiting blood, indicates a more acute or severe gastrointestinal issue and is not a symptom related to celiac disease. Thus, steatorrhea is the most indicative symptom of this condition.