Premium
Can villous atrophy be induced by chronic alcohol consumption?
Author(s) -
SJÖLUND K.,
PERSSON J.,
BERGMAN L.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.625
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1365-2796
pISSN - 0954-6820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1989.tb01368.x
Subject(s) - villous atrophy , atrophy , medicine , enteropathy , gastroenterology , abstinence , weight loss , surgery , disease , coeliac disease , psychiatry , obesity
Sjölund K, Persson J, Bergman L (Departments of Internal Medicine and Surgery, Central Hospital, Karlstad, Sweden). Can villous atrophy be induced by chronic alcohol consumption? A 43‐year‐old man presented with loose stools, abdominal pain and a weight loss of 15 kg. Investigations revealed a pancreatic insufficiency and an enteropathy with villous atrophy. Coeliaki was suspected. In spite of treatment with a gluten‐free diet in hospital the patient did not improve and the villous atrophy remained unchanged. Other causes than coeliaki to villous atrophy were ruled out. The patient had a heavy consumption of alcohol and after prolonged abstinence the patient gained weight, the pain disappeared and the stools were normalized. The jejunal biopsy was now normal. This case report raises the possibility that enteropathy and villous atrophy may be causally related to alcohol overconsumption.