Case report: Revisiting celiac disease.
Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that causes varying degrees of villous atrophy and chronic malabsorption in genetically predisposed persons. Once considered a rare disease affecting children, younger adults, and persons of European ancestry, CD is increasingly recognized in all demographic groups with a prevalence rate in the United States of almost 1%. We offer an overview of the evaluation and management of CD vis-à-vis the case of a 41-year-old man who was hospitalized after presenting with the classic symptoms of chronic abdominal complaints, diarrhea, iron-deficiency anemia, and weight loss. Celiac disease remains an underdiagnosed condition in the United States, which is unfortunate given the potential treatment with a gluten-free diet.
Terasaki
Genji S
GS
Division of General Internal Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. terasaki@u.washington.edu
Ajam
Kamal S
KS
D000328:Adult; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000178:diet therapy; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012698:Serologic Tests; D015431:Weight Loss