Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care (Jan 2020)

Hypoalbuminemia and generalized edema as an atypical presentation of celiac disease

  • Durga S Meena,
  • Deepak Kumar,
  • Gopal K Bohra,
  • Sahadev Choudhary

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1116_19
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 2
pp. 1206 – 1208

Abstract

Read online

The clinical presentation of celiac disease has evolved significantly over the last few decades. Previously defined as a malabsorption syndrome in pediatric patients, now it is considered an autoimmune disorder with diverse systemic manifestations among all age groups. We report a case of 56-year-old male presented with pedal edema and gradually progressive abdomen distention for the last 3 months. Serological evaluation and duodenal biopsy reports were suggestive of celiac disease. The patient was advised gluten-free diet, after 12 weeks, the patient became asymptomatic with the resolution of ascites and peripheral edema. According to the literature, there are few reports of protein-losing enteropathy as an initial presentation of celiac disease. The possibility of celiac disease should be considered even in the setting of atypical symptoms.

Keywords