What is a major complication of chronic enteropathy that requires ongoing management?

• A. Protein-losing enteropathy with edema, effusions, and hypoalbuminemia
• B. Chronic kidney failure
• C. Pancreatitis
• D. Hyperthyroidism

Answer: (A)

Protein-losing enteropathy is a major complication because chronic enteropathy can damage the intestinal lining enough to allow significant loss of protein, especially albumin, into the gut. This loss lowers the plasma oncotic pressure, leading to edema and pleural or abdominal effusions and resulting in hypoalbuminemia. Since the underlying GI disease is ongoing, this protein loss tends to persist, so management must be long-term and multifaceted: controlling the intestinal inflammation, providing adequate nutrition and high-quality protein, regularly monitoring albumin and weight, and addressing fluid accumulations if they develop. Other options like kidney failure, pancreatitis, or hyperthyroidism aren’t direct consequences of chronic enteropathy and typically require separate treatment pathways, even though they can occur concurrently.