Celiac disease onset after pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

Aim - Report of a case of a woman patient who developed celiac disease after pegylated interferon α-2a and ribavirin use for chronic hepatitis C. Patient and Method - A 34-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 3, receiving pegylated interferon α-2a and ribavirin for 6 months, developed progressive malaise and anemia 6 months after the end of treatment. Result - Additional investigation revealed duodenal villous atrophy and positivity for anti-endomysium and anti-gliadin antibodies. Celiac disease diagnosis was performed and symptoms and laboratory abnormalities improved after gluten-free diet. Conclusion - Celiac disease must be ruled out in patients with malabsorption complaints in or after interferon (or pegylated interferon) therapy. Screening for celiac disease with detection of anti-endomysium antibodies would be done in susceptible patients.