Nicotinic Acid in the Treatment of Pellagra: Case Report

Abstract

Typical pictures of Vitamin deficiency are rarely encountered in the wards of this hospital. Frequently, the possibility of avitaminoses are considered in our provisional diagnoses and in these instances vitamin therapy often constitutes part of the treatment. We share the opinions of many that varying degrees of avitaminosis do exist and that classical pictures are rare. It has become rather generally recognized that there are unknown factors present which might explain why certain individuals develop vitamin deficiency diseases while other individuals do not, though both have lived under similar conditions. Among the most interesting of this group are the alcoholics who develop a pellagra like syndrome. An inadequate dietary regimen is believed to be the most important factor in the production of such a syndrome. Exposure to actinic rays plays a large part in the causation of the dermatitis. Undoubtedly, this in turn is related to some disturbance in porphyrin metabolism. The efficacy of nicotinic acid in treating these patients has been stressed. The following case is reported because of the encouraging and rapid results secured with this therapeutic agent.