what is this old disease that could resurface?

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A vitamin C deficiency leads to the famous scurvy which decimated sailors until the end of the 18th century. And for good reason, sailing at sea for months, they did not have access to fresh products.

Although cases are rare today, Australian researchers report that of a middle-aged man with painful reddish spots on his legs, blood in the urine and anemia.

“Tests for inflammatory, autoimmune and blood diseases were negative, and scans revealed no signs of internal bleeding,” explain the scientists, in this case study published in the BMJ Case Reports.

“But further questioning revealed that he was short of money and neglectful of his diet, eating few fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, he had stopped taking the nutritional supplements prescribed after the bariatric surgery he had just undergone, due to lack of means. »

Scurvy confirmed

The researchers then considered scurvy. Blood tests, revealing a total absence of vitamin C, quickly confirmed the diagnosis. The treatment, consisting of daily supplementation with vitamins C (1000 mg) and D3, folic acid (B9) and multivitamins, led to rapid recovery.

Although scurvy remains relatively rare in developed countries, several risk factors have been identified that may favor its reappearance:

• Financial insecurity limiting access to a balanced diet;
• Certain bariatric surgeries;
• Alcoholism and smoking;
• Some medications interfere with the absorption of vitamin C such as steroids and those that slow the production of stomach acid (proton pump inhibitors, used for gastroesophageal reflux disease).

This resurgence of scurvy highlights the importance of a balanced diet and reminds us that diseases of the past can reappear when socio-economic conditions deteriorate.

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