title: Successful long-term treatment with cyclosporin A in protein losing gastroenteropathy.
abstract: Protein-losing gastroenteropathy (PLG) can occur as a manifestation of various diseases including autoimmune disorders, and optimal therapy of these underlying diseases may be the only effective remedy for PLG. In the present report, we describe a case of a 54-year-old woman with PLG associated with an autoimmune disease, presumably CREST syndrome. She failed to respond to steroid treatment. Subsequently, cyclosporine was initiated, which resulted in a rapid recovery. The patient was successfully treated with low-dose cyclosporine for five years. There has not been, to our knowledge, any report of PLG successfully treated with cyclosporine. Cyclosporine therapy may be effective not only in inducing but also in maintaining complete remission in patients with autoimmune-associated PLG, especially refractory or intolerable to steroids and/or immunosuppressive therapies.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, 207 Uehara, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0215.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sunagawa
authors.forename: Fukunori
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kinjo
authors.forename: Izuru
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gakiya
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hokama
authors.forename: Yukino
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kugai
authors.forename: Ryoji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matayoshi
authors.forename: Yoshimasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yonamine
authors.forename: Ryosaku
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tomiyama
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saito
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D017675:CREST Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004386:Duodenum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008875:Middle Aged; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine