RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Dilated cardiomyopathy as the first presentation of coeliac disease: association or causation?
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 177
OP 179
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-177
VO 18
IS 2
A1 Peysh Patel
A1 Fraser Smith
A1 Niamh Kilcullen
A1 Nigel Artis
YR 2018
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/18/2/177.abstract
AB Global ventricular impairment is a frequent presentation in clinical practice, but dissection of causative mechanisms from clinical associations is challenging. We present the case of a 19-year-old man who presented with dilated cardiomyopathy as the first presentation of coeliac disease. The manifestation of iron deficiency anaemia prompted gastroenterology input and enabled accurate diagnosis. It is unclear whether coeliac disease was simply coexistent or directly implicated in pathophysiology. Mechanisms may relate to nutritional deficiencies or autoimmune myocarditis arising from cross-reactivity. We advocate early multidisciplinary involvement in such contexts to aid with management strategy. Despite adherence to a gluten-free diet, ventricular dysfunction persisted and he has been referred to a cardiac transplant centre.