Pellagra as a differential diagnosis in the confused patient on the acute medical unit

• Published in: BMJ case reports Vol. 15; no. 11; p. e249405
• Main Authors: Tew, Jennifer Catherine, Harrington, Laura, Elsayed, Haythum, Mlawa, Gideon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 02-11-2022; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Alcoholism; Alcoholism - complications; Alcoholism - diagnosis; Case reports; Case Reports: Reminder of important clinical lesson; Chronic illnesses; Confusion - diagnosis; Delirium; Dementia; Dermatitis; Dermatology; Diagnosis, Differential; Diarrhea; Diarrhea - diagnosis; Drug withdrawal; Erythema; Exanthema - diagnosis; Humans; Industrialized nations; Male; Medical diagnosis; Medical records; Patients; Pellagra - diagnosis; Pellagra - drug therapy; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - diagnosis; Vitamin B; United Kingdom > UK; malabsorption; alcohol-related disorders; dermatology; medical education
• ISSN: 1757-790X; 1757-790X
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-249405

A man in his 80s was admitted via the acute medical take after presenting with increased confusion and features of alcohol withdrawal. He had a several-month history of a worsening pruritic rash surrounding his neck, arms and legs in addition to new, profuse diarrhoea. In view of the background of known chronic alcoholism and the coexisting symptoms of rash, confusion and diarrhoea, pellagra was diagnosed via a multidisciplinary approach. Oral nicotinamide supplementation was commenced and his symptoms responded rapidly. The bias and challenge of reaching a unified diagnosis in the context of a multisystem condition are exemplified in this case report.