The AB Design can be used to quickly assess the effects of an experimental variable. Its main disadvantage its inability to distinguish the experimental effect from possible confounds that might occur coincident with the change of condition.
ceÂ·liÂ·ac disÂ·ease. A disease occurring in children and adults characterized by sensitivity to gluten, with chronic inflammation and atrophy of the mucosa of the upper small intestine; manifestations include diarrhea, malabsorption, steatorrhea, and nutritional and vitamin deficiencies.
Celiac disease (gluten sensitive enteropathy) is a condition affecting the small bowel, characterized by permanent intolerance to dietary gluten, and giving rise to varying degrees of malabsorption and diarrhea. With the advent of sensitive screening tests, the condition is being increasingly diagnosed.