Hereditary angioedema presenting as irritable bowel syndrome: a case of early closure

J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2015 Oct 19;5(5):29114. doi: 10.3402/jchimp.v5.29114. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for outpatient and emergency department visits. We present one such case of early closure in a 32-year-old male with recurrent abdominal pain who was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Family history was suspicious for hereditary angioedema (HAE). The HAE workup came back positive, and the patient was started on prophylactic therapy, which led to an improvement in symptoms and quality of life. The purpose of this case is to create awareness among physicians to test for HAE in patients diagnosed with IBS who, based on their history or physical examination, have clinical suspicion for HAE.

Keywords: C1 esterase inhibitor; C4; IBS; abdominal pain; hereditary angioedema.

Publication types

  • Case Reports