title: Refractory celiac disease: an unusual disease in a Chinese patient.
abstract: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease characterized by mucosal inflammation and villous atrophy of the small bowel upon exposure to ingested gluten. Although common in developed countries, it is extremely rare in the Chinese population. Refractory celiac disease (RCD) is a rare complication of CD with poor prognosis. Patients may die of severe malabsorption or development of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. We report a case of RCD in a Chinese woman who required steroid therapy in addition to a gluten-free diet to induce disease remission. The possibility of CD in Chinese patients should not be overlooked.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong. lokkaho@netvigator.com
authors.forename: Ka Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.forename: Hon Cheung
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Kam Fu
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kin Kong
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ming Leung
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Szeto
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044466:Asian People; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000473:pathology; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D018450:Disease Progression; D004386:Duodenum / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone