Persistent hypertransaminasemia as the presenting feature of celiac disease.

Abstract

Asymptomatic persistent hypertransaminasemia unrelated to hepatitis viral infection is a common cause of referral to the hepatologist. Less frequent liver diseases should then be considered, as well as extrahepatic-origin hypertransaminasemia. Celiac disease, although it has repeatedly been reported as a cause of persistent hypertransaminasemia, is often not included in its differential diagnosis in the absence of the classic malabsorption syndrome. We present the cases of four patients sent to a liver unit for evaluation of persistent hypertransaminasemia in whom celiac disease was finally discovered. Our report highlights the importance of including celiac disease in list of conditions potentially responsible for chronic hypertransaminasemia of unknown cause.