Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis and Concurrent Non-Immune Hemolytic Anemia

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-2024

Publication Title

American Journal of Gastroenterology

Abstract

Introduction: Zieve’s syndrome describes a triad of non-immune hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and transient hyperlipidemia found in patients with alcohol-use disorder/alcohol-associated liver disease. This case involves a patient with suspected Zieve’s syndrome in the setting of severe alcohol-associated hepatitis. Case Description/Methods: A 39-year-old woman with alcohol-use disorder presented to the hospital with complaints of jaundice, lethargy, and confusion. On presentation, patient was anemic with a hemoglobin of 7.8 g/dL (12.1-15.0 g/dL), had ALP of 235 U/L (33-120 U/L), AST of 116 U/L (, 35 U/L), ALT of 41 (, 37 U/L) total bilirubin of 24.2 mg/dL (, 1.2mg/dL), direct bilirubin of .15 mg/dL (, 0.4 mg/dL). She was admitted due to concerns for alcohol-associated hepatitis. Her hospital course was complicated by frequent declines in hemoglobin requiring a total of 6 transfusions of packed red blood cells. No overt bleeding such as hematemesis or hematochezia was evident during these declines. Further hematologic workup revealed a normal glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), normal pyruvate kinase, elevated plasma hemoglobin of 150 mg/dL (, 30 mg/dL), decreased haptoglobin of , 8 mg/dL (40-250 mg/dL), elevated lactate dehydrogenase of 595 (100-240 U/L), and elevated reticulocyte count of 213 bil/L (21-100 bil/L). Direct Coombs Test was negative. The combination of these labs illustrated a picture of non-immune hemolytic anemia. Patient’s hospitalization was further complicated by the development of ascites and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Given the presence of SBP, corticosteroid therapy was not initiated for alcohol-associated hepatitis. Lipid panel remained within normal limits on 2 separate occasions. Vitamin E level was , 2.5 mg/L (5.5 – 17.0 mg/L). The patient was eventually discharged home with hospice and her hemoglobin levels remained stable after supportive blood transfusions during her stay (Figure 1). Discussion: Zieve’s syndrome is an underdiagnosed cause of anemia in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease. There are multiple proposed mechanisms to explain the pathophysiology behind the red cell lysis seen in this disorder. One leading hypothesis suggests the red cell membrane becomes unstable due to vitamin E deficiency leading to disordered pyruvate kinase. Importance of early recognition of this syndrome is essential as treatment revolves around strict abstinence from alcohol.

Volume

119

Issue

10S

First Page

S2705

Comments

American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting, October 25-30, 2024, Philadelphia, PA

Last Page

S2706

DOI

10.14309/01.ajg.0001046112.61197.fe

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS