Open AccessProtein‐losing gastroenteropathy with severe hypoalbuminemia associated with Sjögren’s syndrome: A case report and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Akaishi Tetsuya,
Yasaka Ken,
Abe Michiaki,
Fujii Hiroshi,
Watanabe Mika,
Shirai Tsuyoshi,
Ishizawa Kota,
Takayama Shin,
Kagaya Yutaka,
Harigae Hideo,
Ishii Tadashi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of general and family medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2189-7948
DOI - 10.1002/jgf2.281
Subject(s) - hypoalbuminemia , medicine , protein losing enteropathy , prednisolone , gastroenterology , hypoproteinemia , nephrotic syndrome , serum albumin , pleural effusion , albumin , edema , pathology , scintigraphy , enteropathy , disease
A 30‐year‐old man with severe hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin: 0.9 g/dL) was admitted with severe bilateral leg edema and unilateral pleural effusion. Serum anti‐SS‐A and SS‐B antibody levels were abnormally elevated, and his symptoms fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for Sjögren's syndrome. Technetium‐99m albumin scintigraphy revealed protein leakage from a large area of the small intestine. Immunohistochemistry revealed perivascular deposition of C1q, C3d, and immunoglobulin G in the duodenal mucosa. The patient was diagnosed with protein‐losing gastroenteropathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome. Within 2 months of treatment with oral prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil, the clinical symptoms of hypoalbuminemia and Sjögren's syndrome disappeared completely.