Successful treatment of protein-losing gastroenteropathy with steroid pulse and immunosuppressive therapies in a patient with Sjögren syndrome

Abstract

We report the case of a 59-year-old female who developed facial edema together with hypoproteinemia. On the basis of 99mTc-human serum albumin scintigraphy and α1-antitrypsin clearance, she was diagnosed with protein-losing gastroenteropathy. Furthermore, she was diagnosed with Sjögren syndrome on the basis of eye and oral dryness, positive result with anti-SSA antibody, and salivary gland biopsy. Her symptoms improved with the use of immunosuppressive agents following steroid pulse therapy. Therefore, steroid pulse therapy and immunosuppressive agents should be considered as possible effective treatment strategies for protein-losing gastroenteropathy associated with autoimmune diseases. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.