Autopsy and Case Reports
https://www.autopsyandcasereports.org/article/doi/10.4322/acr.2018.027
Autopsy and Case Reports
Article / Clinical Case Report

Celiac Crisis: an unusual presentation of gluten-sensitive enteropathy

Rômulo Ribeiro do Vale; Nathalia da Silva Conci; Alexandre Pinheiro Santana; Mauricio Baptista Pereira; Natália Yume Hissayasu Menezes; Vilma Takayasu; Lorena Silva Laborda; Aloísio Souza Felipe da Silva

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Abstract

Celiac disease (CD)—also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy—is a chronic, genetically predisposing and autoimmune entity with a wide range of clinical manifestations triggered by gluten ingestion, which affects 1% of the general population. Currently, up to 60% of the diagnosis of CD is in adults due to the atypical course of the disease. The severe acute onset of CD—also called celiac crisis—is very uncommon and is still not well documented in adults. We report the case of a 58-year-old man who presented a 45-day history of subtle-onset diarrhea followed by malabsorption syndrome with progressive weight loss, anasarca, and electrolyte disturbances. The diagnostic work-up included an upper digestive endoscopy, which showed scalloping of the duodenal mucosa with pathological features confirmed on biopsies. Specific antibodies were positive, and a satisfactory clinical response was obtained once a gluten-free diet was started. Celiac crisis is a rare initial presentation of CD characterized by severe diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, hypoproteinemia, and metabolic and electrolyte disturbances. Although rare, it should be considered in patients with apparently unexplained chronic diarrhea.

Keywords

Celiac Disease, Malabsorption Syndrome, Diarrhea, Transglutaminases, Gliadin

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Publication date:
07/12/2018

5b47afd70e8825f56e7c7587 autopsy Articles
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