Rectal manifestations of pellagra

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Dermatology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Cutaneous pellagra, a condition resulting from niacin deficiency, can manifest with gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal complaint in pellagra patients.
• Endoscopic and histological findings in the lower gastrointestinal tract of pellagra patients are not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the gastrointestinal manifestations of cutaneous pellagra.
• To assess the impact of vitamin therapy on these manifestations.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 45 patients diagnosed with cutaneous pellagra.
• Sigmoidoscopy and rectal biopsies were performed on all patients.
• Patients received vitamin treatment, and follow-up assessments were conducted.

Main Results:

• 44% of patients experienced diarrhea.
• Sigmoidoscopy revealed inflammation in 91% of patients, with 11% showing severe inflammation.
• Rectal biopsies indicated significant inflammation or ulceration in 36% of cases.
• Following vitamin treatment, diarrhea resolved within a week in all patients.
• Histological improvements were observed in 7 out of 9 patients within 5-7 days.

Conclusions:

• Gastrointestinal inflammation, including diarrhea and rectal inflammation, is prevalent in cutaneous pellagra.
• Vitamin therapy is effective in rapidly resolving diarrhea and improving rectal inflammation in pellagra patients.