Pseudoascites Due to Celiac Disease in a Patient with Type 1 Diabetes

Ascites presenting in a patient with type 1 diabetes is usually due to cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease. With these conditions, aspiration of the peritoneal cavity will result in a sample of peritoneal fluid being obtained. However, if there is under 25 ml or no fluid is present in the peritoneal cavity, the diagnosis is that of pseudoascites. Herein, we describe the first case of pseudoascites due to celiac disease occurring not only in an adult with type 1 diabetes but also in any adult. Since celiac disease is eight times more common in patients with type 1 diabetes, on the basis of this report, we recommend that patients with type 1 diabetes and abdominal symptoms be serologically screened at least once for celiac disease, as well as every patient with type 1 diabetes .