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1: Int J Dermatol. 2004 Jan;43(1):1-5.Click here to read Links

Pellagra: dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhea.

Hegyi J, Schwartz RA, Hegyi V.

Department of Pediatric Dermatovenerology, Comenius University Medical School, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.

Pellagra defines systemic disease as resulting from a marked cellular deficiency of niacin. It is characterized by 4 "D's": diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and death. Diagnosis of pellagra is difficult in the absence of the skin lesions, and is often facilitated by the presence of characteristic ones. The dermatitis begins as an erythema. Acute pellagra resembles sunburn in its first stages, but tanning occurs more slowly than typically in sunburn. Exacerbation follows re-exposure to sunlight. In this work we review the findings of this once mysterious disorder, one that still challenges clinicians world-wide.

PMID: 14693013 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Patient Drug Information

  • Niacin (Advicor® , Niacor® , Niaspan® )

    Niacin is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood. Niacin is also used to prevent and treat pellagra (niacin defic...

  • Glipizide (Metaglip, Glucovance, Avandamet, ...)

    In patients with diabetes or hyperlipidemia, how do combination drugs compare in improving long-term health?

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