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[Alcoholic pellagra encephalopathy: an underestimated treatable entity]
A Böhler1, C Moll, A Schaffner
1Departement für Innere Medizin, Universitätsspital Zürich.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|April 30, 1994
Summary
Alcoholic pellagra-encephalopathy, a serious neurological condition in alcohol abusers, presents with consciousness changes, hypertonus, and myoclonus. Prompt nicotinamide treatment is crucial for survival and recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Alcoholic pellagra-encephalopathy is an underdiagnosed neurological disorder.
- It specifically affects individuals with a history of chronic ethanol abuse.
Observation:
- Clinical presentation includes altered consciousness, significant oppositional hypertonus, and myoclonus.
- The condition has a potentially lethal spontaneous course.
Findings:
- This entity warrants inclusion in the differential diagnosis for encephalopathy in ethanol abusers.
- Treatment involves nicotinic acid substitution, specifically as nicotinamide.
Implications:
- Early recognition and diagnosis of alcoholic pellagra-encephalopathy are critical.
- Substitution therapy with nicotinamide and other B-group vitamins is recommended for chronic ethanol abusers with neurological symptoms.