Patient case: Coeliac Disease
A 34-year-old female presents to the clinic with a history of intermittent abdominal pain, bloating, and chronic diarrhea that has persisted for several months. She also reports feeling fatigued and has noticed an unintentional weight loss of about 5 kilograms over the past few months. Her medical history includes frequent iron-deficiency anemia for which she has been treated multiple times, but her symptoms persist.
The patient mentions that her symptoms worsen after meals, particularly when she consumes bread, pasta, or other wheat-based foods. Physical examination reveals mild pallor and abdominal tenderness. Blood tests show low hemoglobin and iron levels, and her anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies are positive. A subsequent small bowel biopsy confirms the diagnosis of coeliac disease. The patient is advised to start a strict gluten-free diet to manage her condition.
Follow-up care includes nutritional counseling and monitoring for improvement in her symptoms and nutritional status.
a) Chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating
b) Shortness of breath and chest pain
c) Joint pain and muscle weakness
d) Blurred vision and headaches
a) Complete blood count
b) Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody test
c) Blood glucose test
d) Liver function test
a) Lactose
b) Gluten
c) Sucrose
d) Fructose
a) Diabetes
b) Iron-deficiency anemia
c) Hypertension
d) Hyperthyroidism
