title: Vitamin C deficiency in an anticoagulated patient.
abstract: A 64-year-old woman presented with a hemorrhagic perifollicular rash on her legs while taking warfarin. After biopsy, vitamin C deficiency was suggested as the diagnosis, which ascorbic acid assays later confirmed. Clinical resolution of the rash followed supplementation with vitamin C. Patients on a vitamin K limited diet may also be limiting their intake of vitamin C. Physicians should be aware of this possible correlation, and consider checking vitamin C levels in patients with a perifollicular hemorrhagic rash or other signs of vitamin C deficiency while on warfarin.
authors.affiliation: Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1249 15th St, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
authors.forename: George M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Yousef
authors.forename: Lynne J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Goebel
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid