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Anemia in Celiac Disease: Multiple Aspects of the Same Coin
Styliani Kokoris1, Eleni Gavriilaki2, Eleni Vrigκou3
1Laboratory of Hematology and Blood Bank Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Anemia is a common presenting symptom of celiac disease (CD), often leading to delayed diagnosis. Early screening for CD in anemic patients is crucial for timely intervention and preventing complications.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Celiac disease (CD) often presents with extraintestinal manifestations.
- Anemia is a frequent, yet sometimes overlooked, initial sign of CD.
Observation:
- This study emphasizes anemia as the primary presenting feature in several long-undiagnosed CD cases.
- Physicians, particularly hematologists, need heightened awareness for CD screening in anemic patients.
Findings:
- Antibody testing and endoscopic biopsy of the small intestine remain the gold standard for CD diagnosis.
- Anemia in CD can be multifactorial, necessitating comprehensive evaluation.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis of CD through screening is vital for preventing severe complications.
- A gluten-free diet can manage most CD manifestations, underscoring the importance of prompt diagnosis.
Abstract:
Extraintestinal manifestations of celiac disease (CD) are an integral part of the disease's clinical profile and, frequently, appear as the presenting feature. Given that anemia in CD may be multifactorial, increased awareness is needed on the part of treating physicians, and especially hematologists, to screen for CD. In this study, we highlight anemia as the presenting feature of CD which has remained undiagnosed for several years. In patients with a positive antibody testing or high suspicion of CD, endoscopy with a biopsy of the small intestine is performed, as it is considered the "gold standard" for diagnosing CD. Since most of the manifestations of CD are preventable or treatable with a gluten-free diet, an early diagnosis is vital for the prevention of serious and potentially lethal complications.
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