Weight loss in a man from West Africa

Clinical presentation A 71-year-old man was investigated for recent unintentional weight loss of approximately 15 kg (>20% total body mass) within the past 3 months. His past medical history included type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and he was an ex-smoker with a 40 pack-year history. Resident in the UK for 50 years, he was originally from Sierra Leone with no recent travel history. Examination revealed cachexia and lymphadenopathy. Admission blood tests demonstrated a white cell count of 12.1x109/L (with eosinophil level raised at 1.0x109/L), microcytic anaemia (haemoglobin of 109 g/L with mean cell volume (MCV) of 68 fl), hypoalbuminaemia (albumin of 20 g/L) and raised inflammatory markers (C reactive protein of 62 mg/L). Tissue transglutaminase IgA levels were within normal limits, with no evidence of IgA deficiency. An abdominal CT with contrast was reported as showing marked circumferential thickening of the wall of the duodenum and jejunum (in some places, up to 1 cm diameter),...
Source: Gut - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: GUT Snapshot Editor ' s quiz: GI snapshot Source Type: research