FMGE 2024 — General Medicine

Q: What nutritional deficiency is commonly associated with a chronic alcoholic presenting with a pruritic, eczematous rash on the neck and dorsum of the hands?

Vit B3. ***Vit B3*** - This presentation is classic for **pellagra**, the syndrome caused by **niacin (Vitamin B3)** deficiency, characterized by the 3 Ds: **Dermatitis**, **Diarrhea**, and **Dementia** [1], [2]. - The described **pruritic, eczematous rash** on sun-exposed areas (neck, hands, often called Casal's necklace if circumferential on the neck) is the typical **photosensitive dermatitis** associated with pellagra [1], [2]. *Vit B1* - Deficiency in **thiamine (B1)** causes **Beriberi** or **Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome**, which primarily affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems [3], [4]. - Clinical features include **ataxia**, **ophthalmoplegia**, and high-output heart failure, but not this characteristic eczematous rash [3], [4]. *Vit D* - Deficiency leads to defective bone mineralization, causing **Rickets** in children and **Osteomalacia** in adults (resulting in bone pain and fractures). - While common in alcoholics, **Vitamin D** deficiency is not the cause of the specific, widespread, photosensitive eczematous rash described. *Vit C* - **Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)** deficiency causes **Scurvy**, which presents with symptoms related to impaired collagen synthesis. - Hallmark features include **gingival bleeding**, **perifollicular hemorrhages**, and **impaired wound healing**, without the specific photosensitive dermatitis seen in pellagra. [Practice more General Medicine PYQs on OnCourse]

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What nutritional deficiency is commonly associated with a chronic alcoholic presenting with a pruritic, eczematous rash on the neck and dorsum of the hands?