We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Pathophysiology and clinical management of pellagra -- a review.
- Authors
HAŁUBIEC, PRZEMYSŁAW; LEOŃCZYK, MONIKA; STASZEWSKI, FILIP; ŁAZARCZYK, AGNIESZKA; JAWOREK, ANDRZEJ KAZIMIERZ; WOJAS-PELC, ANNA
- Abstract
Pellagra is a rare disease caused by niacin deficiency or a disruption of its metabolism. Its manifestations are dermatitis with pronounced photosensitivity, gastrointestinal symptoms, and neuropsychiatric ailments. Currently pellagra is developed in people who chronically abuse alcohol or are treated with medications from specific pharmacological groups (immunosuppressive and anti-tuberculosis drugs). Although the root cause of the disease was established in the mid-twentieth century, a detailed explanation of the processes leading to the development of symptoms has not yet been proposed. They include complex abnormalities at the molecular, metabolic, and immunological levels. Diagnostics is based primarily on the clinical presentation of the disease, while auxiliary tests play secondary role. The low prevalence of the disease, meaning that physicians are unfamiliar with its recognition, often leads to delays in diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The therapy is causal and based on administering niacinamide. Failure to implement treatment in the early stages of the disease leads to the patient's death. The aim of this literature review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the pathomechanisms of pellagra, highlighting the clinical implications, and key elements of diagnostic and therapeutic management that are important in the treatment of pellagra patients.
- Subjects
PELLAGRA; NICOTINAMIDE; TRYPTOPHAN; PATHOLOGICAL physiology; CLINICAL trials
- Publication
Folia Medica Cracoviensia, 2021, Vol 61, Issue 3, p125
- ISSN
0015-5616
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.24425/fmc.2021.138956