sprue (psilosis) (sproo) n. deficient absorption of food due to disease of the small intestine. tropical s. sprue that is characterized by diarrhoea (usually steatorrhoea), glossitis, anaemia, and weight loss; the lining of the small intestine is inflamed and atrophied. Treatment with antibiotics and folic acid is usually effective. See also coeliac disease, malabsorption.

sprue Disease in which the villi of the small intestine are atrophied and food is incompletely absorbed, followed consequently by undernutrition and weight loss.