Unintentional weight loss in a renal transplant recipient: do not overlook coeliac disease

Exp Clin Transplant. 2013 Aug;11(4):358-60. doi: 10.6002/ect.2012.0153. Epub 2012 Nov 22.

Abstract

Unintentional weight loss in a renal transplant recipient is an important condition, requiring diagnostic search within the framework of malignancy and opportunistic infections. To the best of our knowledge, there are no data in the literature reporting underlying coeliac disease as the cause of significant weight loss after renal transplant. We report a 32-year-old woman, who complained of significant weight loss during the 3.5 years posttransplant. Diagnostic work-up revealed coeliac disease, and a gluten-free diet stabilized her weight loss. Considering the high frequency of coeliac disease, this should be kept in the differential diagnosis of renal transplant recipients presented with weight loss and other suggestive features.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Celiac Disease / complications*
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis
  • Celiac Disease / diet therapy
  • Celiac Disease / physiopathology
  • Diet, Gluten-Free
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Nephritis, Hereditary / complications
  • Nephritis, Hereditary / diagnosis
  • Nephritis, Hereditary / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss*