Elson V Martins1, Ana K Gaburri. 1. Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, SP, Brazil. elson.vidal@iron.com.br
Abstract
AIM: Report of a case of a woman patient who developed celiac disease after pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin use for chronic hepatitis C. PATIENT AND METHOD: A 34-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 3, receiving pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin for 6 months, developed progressive malaise and anemia 6 months after the end of treatment. RESULT: Additional investigation revealed duodenal villous atrophy and positivity for anti-endomysium and anti-gliadin antibodies. Celiac disease diagnosis was performed and symptoms and laboratory abnormalities improved after gluten-free diet. CONCLUSION: Celiac disease must be ruled out in patients with malabsorption complaints in or after interferon (or pegylated interferon) therapy. Screening for celiac disease with detection of anti-endomysium antibodies would be done in susceptible patients.
AIM: Report of a case of a womanpatient who developed celiac disease after pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin use for chronic hepatitis C. PATIENT AND METHOD: A 34-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 3, receiving pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin for 6 months, developed progressive malaise and anemia 6 months after the end of treatment. RESULT: Additional investigation revealed duodenal villous atrophy and positivity for anti-endomysium and anti-gliadin antibodies. Celiac disease diagnosis was performed and symptoms and laboratory abnormalities improved after gluten-free diet. CONCLUSION:Celiac disease must be ruled out in patients with malabsorption complaints in or after interferon (or pegylated interferon) therapy. Screening for celiac disease with detection of anti-endomysium antibodies would be done in susceptible patients.
Authors: Lincoln Hernandez; Timothy C Johnson; Afzal J Naiyer; Debby Kryszak; Edward J Ciaccio; Albert Min; Henry C Bodenheimer; Robert S Brown; Allesio Fasano; Peter H Green Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2007-06-05 Impact factor: 3.199