Collagenous sprue across five decades (1970-2025): a systematic review

Collagenous sprue (CS) is a rare sprue-like enteropathy with villous atrophy and a subepithelial collagen band. Published evidence is fragmented.

We conducted a systematic scoping review with a pooled, descriptive patient-level analysis to summarize presentation, evaluation, management and outcomes in reported adult CS. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and Scopus from inception through 1 December 2025. We included adult cases with biopsy-confirmed CS, defined as small-bowel villous atrophy with a subepithelial collagen band.

Of 777 records, 50 publications met inclusion criteria and contributed 99 unique patients with extractable data. Median age was 65 years and 62% were women. Symptoms were prolonged (median 36 weeks) with prominent diarrhea (median 6.5 stools/day) and frequent malnutrition and edema. Laboratory findings reflected severe malabsorption (median albumin 2.9 g/dL; potassium 2.6 mEq/L; hemoglobin 11.95 g/dL). Exposure to medications associated with sprue-like enteropathy was common when reported (30/38, 79%), most often angiotensin receptor blockers. Histology showed a median collagen band thickness of 19.2 μm and total villous atrophy in 54%. Treatment commonly combined nutritional rehabilitation (often parenteral nutrition), gluten-free diet, withdrawal of suspected medications and corticosteroids. Symptom improvement was often rapid (median 7 days). Histologic improvement occurred in 74% (37/50) with follow-up biopsies. Relapse occurred in 31% (4/13). Mortality among patients with known vital status was 23% (12/53).

CS is profoundly morbid but frequently improves with early recognition, medication review and withdrawal, aggressive nutritional support and steroid-based therapy, although relapse and mortality remain substantial.