Protein losing enteropathy

Synonyms and related keywords: protein loss, protein deficiency, GI protein loss, gastrointestinal protein loss, protein-losing gastroenteropathy, protein losing gastroenteropathy, gastroenteropathy, gastric protein loss, Helicobacter pylori, H pylori, giant hypertrophic gastropathy, Menetrier disease, Ménétrier, disease, loss of plasma proteins from the gastrointestinal tract, excessive leakage of plasma proteins into the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, lymphatic obstruction, mucosal disease with erosions, ulcerations, swelling of the legs, peripheral edema, decreased plasma oncotic pressure

Overview
Protein losing enteropathy is the loss of plasma proteins from the gastrointestinal tract caused by an array of abnormalities

Presentation
The condition may manifest itself with complications related to protein loss, including edema, or retention of fluid, and ascites, or retention of fluid in the abdomen. Proteins are absorbed in the small bowel, and any condition that affects the digestion or absorption of protein can result in protein losing enteropathy.

Common Causes
Common causes of protein losing enteropathy include celiac disease, Crohn's disease, short bowel syndrome (where the absorptive area for proteins is decreased), intestinal lymphangiectasia, amyloidosis, enteropathy caused by NSAIDs, and giardiasis.

Complete Differential Diagnosis Of Underlying Causes

 * Acute gastroenteritis
 * AIDS
 * Allergic Gastroenteritis
 * Amyloidosis
 * Angioedema
 * Bacterial overgrowth
 * Carcinoid Syndrome
 * Celiac Sprue
 * Clostridium Difficile
 * Congestive Heart Failure
 * Connective tissue disorders
 * Constrictive pericarditis
 * Crohn's Disease
 * Duodenal erosions or ulcerations
 * Esophageal erosions or ulcerations
 * Graft vs. Host Disease
 * Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
 * Idiopathic ulcerative jejunoileitis
 * Intestinal endometriosis
 * Intestinal parasites
 * Kaposi Sarcoma
 * Lymphoenteric fistula
 * Lymphoma
 * Menetrier's Disease
 * Microscopic colitis
 * Mucosal-based neoplasm
 * Neurofibromatosis
 * Protein dyscrasia
 * Pseudomembranous colitis
 * Retroperitoneal fibrosis
 * Sarcoidosis
 * Stomach (erosions, ulcerations)
 * Tropical sprue
 * Tuberculosis
 * Ulcerative Colitis
 * Whipple's Disease

Diagnosis
The diagnosis of protein losing enteropathy is typically made by excluding other causes of protein loss, such as nephrotic syndrome. Endoscopy and barium imaging can be used to localize the cause of the protein loss in the bowel.

Treatment
Treatment depends upon the underlying condition.

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