Pellagra: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Pellagra is the deficiency of Niacin (Vitamin B3). Niacin deficiency classically causes the "4 D's": Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia and Death." Niacin is an important factor for the production of NADH and NADPH, which are important for redox reactions. Deficiency therefore affects tissues with high turnover, including skin, GI tract and brain, thereby causing the "4 D's" mentioned above. | Pellagra is the deficiency of Niacin (Vitamin B3). Niacin deficiency classically causes the "4 D's": Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia and Death." Niacin is an important factor for the production of NADH and NADPH, which are important for redox reactions. Deficiency therefore affects tissues with high turnover, including skin, GI tract and brain, thereby causing the "4 D's" mentioned above. | ||
*Niacin is either consumed in the diet or converted from tryptophan by the hepatic kynurenine pathway in the liver. | |||
*Neurological symptoms can also be exacerbated by supplementation by other B vitiamins, particularly B1, B2, B6, and B12. Mechanism is unknown but may be secondary to the increased demand of NAD. | |||
===Drugs that inhibit niacin production=== | |||
*Azathioprine | |||
*Chloramphenicol | |||
*Ethionamide | |||
*5-Fluorouracil | |||
*Isoniazid | |||
*6mercaptopurine | |||
*Pyrazinamide | |||
===Conditions that decrease niacin GI absoprtion=== | |||
* | *[[Colitis]] | ||
* | *[[Celiac disease]] | ||
* | *[[Crohn's disease]] | ||
* | *[[Ulcerative colitis]] | ||
* | *[[Cirrhosis]] | ||
*Gastrectomy patients | |||
==Clinical Features== | ==Clinical Features== | ||
Revision as of 12:24, 7 February 2016
Background
Pellagra is the deficiency of Niacin (Vitamin B3). Niacin deficiency classically causes the "4 D's": Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia and Death." Niacin is an important factor for the production of NADH and NADPH, which are important for redox reactions. Deficiency therefore affects tissues with high turnover, including skin, GI tract and brain, thereby causing the "4 D's" mentioned above.
- Niacin is either consumed in the diet or converted from tryptophan by the hepatic kynurenine pathway in the liver.
- Neurological symptoms can also be exacerbated by supplementation by other B vitiamins, particularly B1, B2, B6, and B12. Mechanism is unknown but may be secondary to the increased demand of NAD.
Drugs that inhibit niacin production
- Azathioprine
- Chloramphenicol
- Ethionamide
- 5-Fluorouracil
- Isoniazid
- 6mercaptopurine
- Pyrazinamide
Conditions that decrease niacin GI absoprtion
- Colitis
- Celiac disease
- Crohn's disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Cirrhosis
- Gastrectomy patients
Clinical Features
- Skin photosensitivity and rash. Erythematous and scaly. May be mistaken for sunburn.
- secondary to UV damage and decreased repair
- "Casal's Necklace." Reddish rash surrounding the neck, and on the hands and feet. This is a photosensitivity rash in the exposed areas of the neck. Originally described by Gaspar Casal in 1735.
- GI symptoms
- secondary to decreased cell turnover
- Neurological symptoms
- "Pellagra encephalopathy," depression, anxiety, altered mental status, hallucinations, delusions, affective disorders, cognitive dysfunction.
- Niacin deficiency is often associated with chronic alcohol use secondary to nutritional deficiency and malabsorption.
Differential Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Management
Niacin supplementation.
Disposition
See Also
External Links
References
- Badaway, Abdulla. “Pellagra and Alcoholism: a biochemical perspective.” Alcohol and alcoholism 2014; vol 49, No 3, pages 238-250
- Lopez, Marta, et al. “Pellagra Encephalopathy in the context of alcoholism: review and case report.” Alcohol and alcoholism. Vol 49. No 1. pages 38-41. 2014.