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Diagnosis of celiac disease in a patient with fecal incontinence

Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 3, pages 172–175 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Background A 69-year-old white woman presented to our gastroenterology department with loose stools, daily fecal incontinence and weight loss. She had a 3-year history of fecal incontinence, which had increased in frequency and severity in the year before her most recent presentation. Prior diagnostic workup included anorectal manometry, revealing global sphincter dysfunction, which improved slightly with biofeedback therapy, and colonoscopy, which proved unremarkable. At the time of referral, the patient was taking loperamide 2mg once daily.

Investigations Physical examination, fecal fat stain, abdominal CT scan, therapeutic trial of pancreatic enzymes, celiac disease serologic tests, and upper endoscopy with small-bowel biopsy.

Diagnosis Celiac disease.

Management Gluten-free diet.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA

    Elizabeth S Huebner

  2. Gastroenterology Section Chief at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, USA

    Christina M Surawicz

Authors
  1. Elizabeth S Huebner
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  2. Christina M Surawicz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christina M Surawicz.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Huebner, E., Surawicz, C. Diagnosis of celiac disease in a patient with fecal incontinence. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 3, 172–175 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0440

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0440

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