Celiac Crisis: A Life-Threatening Complication of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy with varied systemic involvement and association with increased morbidity and mortality. Strong clinical suspicion is the key, and diagnosis is made using histopathology and serology. Though the consumption of a strict gluten-free diet can improve symptoms and limit mucosal damage, curative therapy is still lacking. Significant clinical improvement can be seen after treatment with immunosuppressive therapy; however, there is no definitive role of immunosuppression in preventing complications. Celiac crisis (CC), a serious and life-threatening complication of CD, is characterized by acute onset and rapid progression of gastrointestinal manifestations associated with metabolic and electrolyte disturbances and neurological and renal dysfunction. Management comprises urgent hospitalization, fluid resuscitation, correction of electrolyte imbalance, and albumin infusion. Early identification and diagnosis of CD and timely initiation of a gluten-free diet with proper compliance are of paramount importance in preventing complications, including CC. Regular follow-up after diagnosis is a good approach to assessing adherence to the gluten-free diet, disease activity, and screening for complications. With the advent of improved diagnostic facilities and access to the health care system, timely diagnosis, and efficient management, prognosis has improved significantly in recent years.