title: Scurvy: historically a plague of the sailor that remains a consideration in the modern intensive care unit.
abstract: We report the case of the case of a 56 year old female with sepsis on a background of rheumatoid arthritis and steroid use manifesting with overt clinical features of scurvy. Ascorbic acid assays were able to demonstrate severe deficiency and confirm a diagnosis of scurvy. Clinical resolution of signs and symptoms following commencement of vitamin C replacement was rapid. The intensivist and dietitian need to consider this diagnosis even in the first world setting, particularly in the presence of sepsis, inflammatory conditions, steroid use and importantly malnutrition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Ipswich Hospital The Prince Charles Hospital Critical Care Research Group, University of Queensland, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. anthony_holley@health.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Holley
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Osland
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fraser
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D010930:Plague; D012614:Scurvy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid