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Pellagra

MedGen UID:
45364
•Concept ID:
C0030783
•
Disease or Syndrome
Synonym: Pellagras
SNOMED CT: Pellagra (418186002)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0019975
Orphanet: ORPHA97352

Definition

Pellagra is a nutritional disorder caused by a deficiency in niacin (vitamin B3) or its precursor (tryptophan) that is mainly observed in Asia and Africa where it is generally due to poor nutrition. It is characterized by dermatitis (symmetrical photodistributed erythema that may be accompanied by vesicles and bullae, and that develops into hyperkeratotic and hyperpigmented skin), gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea), and neuropsychiatric disorders (dementia). It can be life-threatening without a correct management. [from ORDO]

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
  • CROGVPellagra
Follow this link to review classifications for Pellagra in Orphanet.

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Pellagra and peripheral neuropathy secondary to tuberculosis treatment.
Wang J, Yu J, Huang X
QJM 2023 Sep 12;116(8):696-698. doi: 10.1093/qjmed/hcad077. PMID: 37129558
Preventing pellagra during isoniazid preventive treatment.
Kapata N, Zumla A
Lancet Glob Health 2022 May;10(5):e600-e601. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00163-2. PMID: 35427509
Pathophysiology and clinical management of pellagra - a review.
Hołubiec P, Leończyk M, Staszewski F, Łazarczyk A, Jaworek AK, Wojas-Pelc A
Folia Med Cracov 2021 Sep 29;61(3):125-137. doi: 10.24425/fmc.2021.138956. PMID: 34882669

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Pathophysiology and clinical management of pellagra - a review.
Hołubiec P, Leończyk M, Staszewski F, Łazarczyk A, Jaworek AK, Wojas-Pelc A
Folia Med Cracov 2021 Sep 29;61(3):125-137. doi: 10.24425/fmc.2021.138956. PMID: 34882669
Chapter 6: Vitamins and Oral Health.
Gutierrez Gossweiler A, Martinez-Mier EA
Monogr Oral Sci 2020;28:59-67. Epub 2019 Nov 7 doi: 10.1159/000455372. PMID: 31940621
Niacin.
Kirkland JB, Meyer-Ficca ML
Adv Food Nutr Res 2018;83:83-149. Epub 2018 Feb 1 doi: 10.1016/bs.afnr.2017.11.003. PMID: 29477227
Fortification and health: challenges and opportunities.
Dwyer JT, Wiemer KL, Dary O, Keen CL, King JC, Miller KB, Philbert MA, Tarasuk V, Taylor CL, Gaine PC, Jarvis AB, Bailey RL
Adv Nutr 2015 Jan;6(1):124-31. Epub 2015 Jan 15 doi: 10.3945/an.114.007443. PMID: 25593151Free PMC Article
Hydrosoluble vitamins.
Chawla J, Kvarnberg D
Handb Clin Neurol 2014;120:891-914. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-4087-0.00059-0. PMID: 24365359

Diagnosis

The Pellagra Portraits.
Landress DP
JAMA 2024 Feb 6;331(5):375-377. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.27716. PMID: 38214915
Pellagra.
Alagesan M, Chidambaram Y
N Engl J Med 2022 Mar 10;386(10):e24. doi: 10.1056/NEJMicm2114098. PMID: 35263522
Pellagra Gloves.
López-Alba A, Corbella L, Gallego-Gutierrez I
Mayo Clin Proc 2022 Mar;97(3):445-446. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.12.007. PMID: 35246285
Pathophysiology and clinical management of pellagra - a review.
Hołubiec P, Leończyk M, Staszewski F, Łazarczyk A, Jaworek AK, Wojas-Pelc A
Folia Med Cracov 2021 Sep 29;61(3):125-137. doi: 10.24425/fmc.2021.138956. PMID: 34882669
Hydrosoluble vitamins.
Chawla J, Kvarnberg D
Handb Clin Neurol 2014;120:891-914. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-4087-0.00059-0. PMID: 24365359

Therapy

A Second Look at Niacin.
Epstein H
Skinmed 2023;21(6):431-432. Epub 2023 Dec 5 PMID: 38051244
The Promise of Niacin in Neurology.
Wuerch E, Urgoiti GR, Yong VW
Neurotherapeutics 2023 Jul;20(4):1037-1054. Epub 2023 Apr 21 doi: 10.1007/s13311-023-01376-2. PMID: 37084148Free PMC Article
PELLAGRA.
JAMA 2020 May 26;323(20):2100. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.13455. PMID: 32453356
Niacin.
Kirkland JB, Meyer-Ficca ML
Adv Food Nutr Res 2018;83:83-149. Epub 2018 Feb 1 doi: 10.1016/bs.afnr.2017.11.003. PMID: 29477227
Pellagra.
de Oliveira Alves A, Bortolato T, Bernardes Filho F
J Emerg Med 2018 Feb;54(2):238-240. Epub 2017 Nov 22 doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2017.10.010. PMID: 29174751

Prognosis

Clinical analysis of alcoholic pellagra: A single-center retrospective study.
Chen X, Yang C, Du C, Jiang G
J Cosmet Dermatol 2022 Oct;21(10):4707-4713. Epub 2022 May 10 doi: 10.1111/jocd.15036. PMID: 35500141
Pruritic Rash and Diarrhea.
Yano H, Kinjo M
JAMA 2021 Mar 16;325(11):1103-1104. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.24066. PMID: 33724306
Cutaneous Metastasis of Internal Tumors.
Choate EA, Nobori A, Worswick S
Dermatol Clin 2019 Oct;37(4):545-554. Epub 2019 Jul 10 doi: 10.1016/j.det.2019.05.012. PMID: 31466594
Nutrition and bullous skin diseases.
Fedeles F, Murphy M, Rothe MJ, Grant-Kels JM
Clin Dermatol 2010 Nov-Dec;28(6):627-43. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.036. PMID: 21034987
Cutaneous photosensitivity diseases induced by exogenous agents.
Gould JW, Mercurio MG, Elmets CA
J Am Acad Dermatol 1995 Oct;33(4):551-73; quiz 574-6. doi: 10.1016/0190-9622(95)91271-1. PMID: 7673488

Clinical prediction guides

A Second Look at Niacin.
Epstein H
Skinmed 2023;21(6):431-432. Epub 2023 Dec 5 PMID: 38051244
Clinical analysis of alcoholic pellagra: A single-center retrospective study.
Chen X, Yang C, Du C, Jiang G
J Cosmet Dermatol 2022 Oct;21(10):4707-4713. Epub 2022 May 10 doi: 10.1111/jocd.15036. PMID: 35500141
Autophagy in malnutrition-associated dermatoses.
Hirai Y, Miyake T, Hamada T, Yamasaki O, Morizane S, Mori T, Iwatsuki K
J Dermatol 2019 Jan;46(1):43-47. Epub 2018 Oct 31 doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.14694. PMID: 30379352
Drug-induced photosensitivity: new insights into pathomechanisms and clinical variation through basic and applied science.
Khandpur S, Porter RM, Boulton SJ, Anstey A
Br J Dermatol 2017 Apr;176(4):902-909. Epub 2017 Feb 28 doi: 10.1111/bjd.14935. PMID: 27510322
Pellagra: a clinical, histopathological, and epidemiological study of 7 cases.
Piqué-Duran E, Pérez-Cejudo JA, Cameselle D, Palacios-Llopis S, García-Vázquez O
Actas Dermosifiliogr 2012 Jan;103(1):51-8. Epub 2012 Mar 27 doi: 10.1016/j.adengl.2011.05.003. PMID: 22456595

Recent systematic reviews

Pellagra may be a rare secondary complication of anorexia nervosa: a systematic review of the literature.
Prousky JE
Altern Med Rev 2003 May;8(2):180-5. PMID: 12777163

Supplemental Content

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