[Rational diagnosis of the malassimilation syndrome]

Malassimilation is that pathological condition, in which one or several foodstuff factors are insufficiently absorbed. The sequels of this disturbance may then be observed as malabsorption symptoms. In the survey of the possibilities of a malassimilation syndrome the pathophysiological fundaments were chosen as starting-point of the discussions, at suspicion for a malassimilation syndrome one should at first decide between maldigestion and malabsorption. The in most cases appearing causes of a maldigestion and malabsorption are cited. As a transitional form between the two the ciliated border disease is mentioned. The methods of the diagnostics of the malassimilation syndrome which are at our disposal as well as specific diagnostic methods are briefly treated. At the end a simple scheme of the clinical strategy at suspicion for a malassimilation syndrome is recommended.