title: In-111 transferrin scintigraphy in cirrhosis with hypoalbuminemia: evidence for protein-losing enteropathy in a small group of selected cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypoalbuminemia commonly observed in cirrhosis is considered to be mainly related to hepatocellular dysfunction. However, the correlation between the decrease in serum albumin and liver function is far from linear and arguments in favor of an additive role of protein-losing enteropathy have been brought by a few studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the potential role of protein-losing enteropathy in a group of patients with cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and hypoalbuminemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients with documented cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and a low serum albumin level compared to liver function underwent an (111)In-transferrin scintigraphy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using this sensitive method of investigation, nine exhibited features suggestive of exudative enteropathy. Serum albumin level and digestive protein loss were even correlated (Pearson's coefficient = -0.529, one-sided p = 0.047). Protein loss were however not correlated with the degree of portal hypertension or with the extent of liver dysfunction evaluated by the aminopyrine breath test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary data obtained in a small group of selected patients with cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and hypoalbuminemia indicate that protein-losing enteropathy may represent an appreciable and underestimated cause of hypoproteinemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepato-gastroenterology, St Luc University Hospital, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Géraldine E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Dahlqvist
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jamar
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zech
authors.forename: André P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Geubel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D034141:Hypoalbuminemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D014168:Transferrin