title: A case of pellagra associated with megaduodenum in a young woman.
abstract: Pellagra is a rare condition that has been known for many years to be related to niacin deficiency. Clinically known as the 4 "D" symptoms for dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and even death, skin changes remain one of the most important features of this pathology, leading frequently to the diagnosis. Pellagra is mostly seen in poor populations with a deficient diet; still, it is sporadically observed in developed countries, usually in association with digestive disorders. We report a new case of pellagra in a 29-year-old woman in whom the diagnosis of megaduodenum was made. Megaduodenum is a rare condition that can be idiopathic or secondary to visceral myopathy or neuropathy. Parenteral supplementation with niacin has resulted in a quick response of dermatological and psychiatric symptoms. To our knowledge, no case of pellagra due to megaduodenum has been reported in literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia. inesrania@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Inès
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zaraa
authors.forename: Ikram
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Belghith
authors.forename: Dalenda
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: El Euch
authors.forename: Samy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karoui
authors.forename: Mourad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mokni
authors.forename: Azza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fillali
authors.forename: Amel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben Osman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004386:Duodenum / Q000002:abnormalities; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases; D006801:Humans; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009525:Niacin / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010383:Pellagra / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000002:abnormalities
chemical_list: D009525:Niacin