Pericardial Effusion in Celiac Disease

Abstract

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affected 1% of all population in United State. Classic manifestations of disease consist of early childhood diarrhea, malabsorption, steatorrhea and growth retardation but disease can affects adult at any age. In adult anemia is a more frequent finding. This patient was a 40-year-old lady with progressive fatigue and lower extremities pitting edema. Iron deficiency anemia and celiac disease were diagnosed on the basis of low serum ferritin, elevated serum level of IgA endomysial and tissue transglutaminase anti-bodies and histologic findings in small bowel biopsies. Pericardial effusion in her evaluation was detected incidentally. Asymptomatic pericardial effusion in this patient was only detectable with imaging. After starting of gluten free diet and iron supplement fatigue, peripheral edema and pericardial effusion on echocardiography decreased. It should be noted that asymptomatic pericardial effusion may be seen in adults with celiac disease.

INTRODUCTION

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by ingestion of gluten. The estimated prevalence of disease is 1%.[1] In most affected people celiac disease are not diagnosed.[2] Classic manifestations of disease included early childhood onset of malabsorption, steatorrhea, weight loss and failure to thrive,[3,4] but it can affect adult at any age without classic childhood manifestations.[5,6,7,8] Anemia is a more frequent symptom at presentation of disease in adult,[9] that is mainly due to iron deficiency, although nutritional factors deficiency and chronic disease are other causes of anemia.[10,11]

CASE REPORT

The present case report is about a 40-year-old female patient presented in emergency room on October, 2012, with the complaining of severe fatigue and lower extremities edema beginning 3 months prior to admission. She had no history of frequent diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain and discomfort. Her menstrual cycles were normal. Her past medical history was positive for tension type headache and she has a history of acetaminophen use for control of headache. On physical examination, she was pale in appearance. The conjunctiva was pale. Chest, cardiac and abdominal examinations were normal. 3+ pitting edema of the lower limbs was detected. Levels of serum electrolytes, total protein, total and direct bilirubin and uric acid, tests of liver, renal and thyroid function and urine analysis were normal. Positive IgA endomysial (titer: 1/20) and tissue transglutaminase (titer: 140 U/L) antibodies were detected. Other laboratory results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Laboratory data

In upper gastro esophageal endoscopy duodenal mucosa appeared atrophic and had a nodular or scalloped appearance. Multiple biopsies were obtained from the duodenal bulb and the second portion of duodenum. In microscopic evaluation of biopsies more than 40 intraepithelial lymphocytes per 100 enterocytes, crypt hyperplasia and villous atrophy were seen that was compatible with celiac disease [Figure 1], (Grade IIIB, according to the Marsh classification).[12]

Figure 1.

Histological sections show intraepithelial lymphocytosis, crypt hyperplasia and villous atrophy (AX100, BX400)

In routine chest X-ray, globular enlargement of the heart, suggesting of pericardial effusion was seen [Figure 2]. Cardiac function in echocardiography was normal, but severe pericardial effusion without structural heart disease and right atrium collapse was seen [Figure 3a].

Figure 2.

Globular enlargement of heart

Figure 3.

Views of 2 D-echocardiogram. (a) Showed severe pericardial effusion in posterior of right atrium and lateral wall before treatment. (b) Showed mild pericardial effusion in posterior wall after treatment. RA: Right atrium, RV: Right ventricle, LA: Left atrium, LV: Left ventricle, PE: Pericardial effusion

Pericardial effusion in this patient was asymptomatic and only detectable with imaging. In this patient after 2 weeks of starting of Iron supplement with gluten free diet, leg edema and pericardial effusion on echocardiography decreased and symptoms such as malaise and fatigue improved [Figure 3b].

DISCUSSION

The list of conditions associated with celiac disease is extensive. Cardiovascular disease is one of them. Celiac disease has been associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease[13] atrial fibrillation 46,[14] cardiovascular death,[15] dilated cardiomyopathy[16] and autoimmune myocarditis.[17] Riccabona in a study reported that 50% of children with celiac disease had asymptomatic and limited pericardial effusion that only detectable with instrument.[18] In these children, a higher value of antiendomysial antibodies and lower amount of iron and selenium were observed.[18]

In our patient diagnosis of celiac disease was based on serologic and histologic findings. Pericardial effusion in our patient was not symptomatic and it was an incidental finding. Anemia and leg edema were the major findings in the patient. Anemia work-up revealed iron deficiency anemia. Anemia is the most common presentation of celiac disease in adults and it may be the only presentation of disease and iron deficiency is the major cause of anemia.[19] Interestingly celiac disease is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia.[20,21]

In our patient cardiac, hepatic and renal function were normal and serum albumin level were normal. In the subject except severe anemia we couldn’t find any other cause of leg pitting edema. Despite normal cardiac, liver and renal function, chronic severe anemia could induce peripheral edema that respond to correction of anemia.[22]

Nutritional therapy is the only acceptable treatment of celiac disease and consist of a gluten free diet and nutritional supplements such as iron, calcium and vitamins.[23] Pericardial effusion in this case report reminded the unusual and extra intestinal manifestations associated with celiac disease. It is usually asymptomatic and responds to treatment with gluten free diet and doesn’t require invasive evaluation.