Scurvy: An Ancient Disease of the Present

Abstract

Vitamin C deficiency, which leads to scurvy, is not a disease of the past, but a disease that occurs more and more often in developed countries in certain population groups, such as malnourished, alcoholic or elderly patients, those of low-income or patients with known psychiatric disorders or malabsorption syndromes. We present a case of a 67-year-old male patient who presented to our emergency department with a gradual cognitive impairment, inability to stand and walk and a non-palpable purpuric rash. After an extensive diagnostic workout, the clinical manifestations were attributed to low vitamin C levels and the patient showed gradual and complete recovery with replenishment of the deficiency. We emphasize the importance of high suspicion for an early diagnosis and immediate treatment to avoid serious and potentially fatal complications arising from this clinical entity.