ObjectiveProtein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is characterized by excessive gastrointestinal protein loss, yet systematic comparative studies across etiologies remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the confirmed PLE cohort in our center, with a focused comparison between connective tissue disease-associated PLE (CTD-PLE) and lymphatic drainage disorder-associated PLE (LDD-PLE), describe follow-up observations, and explore routine clinical indicators that may assist etiologic differentiation.MethodsThis retrospective study included 146 patients admitted to Beijing Shijitan Hospital between January 2014 and December 2024 with PLE confirmed by 99mTc-HSA scintigraphy.
Patients were classified as CTD-PLE or LDD-PLE according to the final clinical diagnosis. Clinical features, laboratory findings, and available follow-up data were analyzed, and logistic regression together with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to explore factors associated with CTD-PLE.ResultsThe cohort included 146 patients (median onset age 26 years; 30 CTD-PLE and 116 LDD-PLE).
Edema (84.2%) and serous cavity effusions (76.7%) were the most frequent manifestations. Comparative analysis showed that CTD-PLE patients were older, predominantly female, and had more frequent thrombosis and higher D-dimer levels than LDD-PLE patients.
Frontiers in Immunology published a clinical update in Infectious Disease on 08 May 2026.
The item focuses on Clinical characteristics and risk factors of protein-losing enteropathy: a retrospective study.
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