Editor's quiz: GI snapshot. Weight loss in a man from West Africa
File(s)
Accepted version
Supporting information
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
A 71-year-old man was investigated for recent unintentional weight loss of approximately 15 kg (>20% total body mass) within the past 3 months. His past medical history included type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and he was an ex-smoker with a 40 pack-year history. Resident in the UK for 50 years, he was originally from Sierra Leone with no recent travel history.
Examination revealed cachexia and lymphadenopathy. Admission blood tests demonstrated a white cell count of 12.1×109/L (with eosinophil level raised at 1.0×109/L), microcytic anaemia (haemoglobin of 109 g/L with mean cell volume (MCV) of 68 fl), hypoalbuminaemia (albumin of 20 g/L) and raised inflammatory markers (C reactive protein of 62 mg/L). Tissue transglutaminase IgA levels were within normal limits, with no evidence of IgA deficiency.
Examination revealed cachexia and lymphadenopathy. Admission blood tests demonstrated a white cell count of 12.1×109/L (with eosinophil level raised at 1.0×109/L), microcytic anaemia (haemoglobin of 109 g/L with mean cell volume (MCV) of 68 fl), hypoalbuminaemia (albumin of 20 g/L) and raised inflammatory markers (C reactive protein of 62 mg/L). Tissue transglutaminase IgA levels were within normal limits, with no evidence of IgA deficiency.
Date Issued
2015-03-27
Date Acceptance
2015-03-27
Citation
Gut, 2015, 64 (12), pp.1881-1888
ISSN
1468-3288
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Start Page
1881
End Page
1888
Journal / Book Title
Gut
Volume
64
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
© 2015, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Society of Gastroenterology
Subjects
Enteroscopy
Malabsorption
Parasitic diseases
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
1846