Kaitlin A. Vogt, BLA

A 22-year-old woman with a 1-year history of mild systemic lupus erythematosus presented with disproportionately severe constitutional symptoms of fatigue and malaise. Physical examination showed multiple follicular-based hyperkeratotic papules with coiled “corkscrew” hairs on the outer surface of the arms and on the front of the legs (Figure 1).  The patient reported a diet consisting mainly of white meat and processed foods. Although levels of serum folate, ferritin, zinc, and vitamins A, B₁, B₂, B₆, B₁₂, D, and E were within normal limits, the serum ascorbic acid level was low at 0.2 mg/dL (reference range 0.6–2.0 mg/dL). Ascorbic acid supplementation and dietary modification were recommended.

Ascorbic acid deficiency, or scurvy, is often considered a disease primarily of historical significance, with occurrences today limited to malnutrition or poverty.¹ However, 18% of adults in the United States consume less than the recommend daily allowance of ascorbic acid.² Ascorbic acid is minimally stored in the body,³ and scurvy can develop after 60 to 90 days of a diet free of ascorbic acid.⁴

Initial symptoms of fatigue, mood changes, and other constitutional symptoms are nonspecific, leading to a delay in diagnosis. Cutaneous manifestations include follicular hyperkeratosis associated with coiled or “corkscrew” hairs. Fragility of cutaneous blood vessels leads to perifollicular hemorrhages, petechiae, purpura, and ecchymoses. Extracutaneous manifestations are diverse and include oral involvement and intramuscular or intra-articular hemorrhage.¹ Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion in socially isolated adults, elderly patients, those with alcoholism, mental illness, or chronic illness, and those with restrictive dietary preferences, particularly with predominant intake of processed foods.⁵

A 22-year-old woman with a 1-year history of mild systemic lupus erythematosus presented with disproportionately severe constitutional symptoms of fatigue and malaise. Physical examination showed multiple follicular-based hyperkeratotic papules with coiled “corkscrew” hairs on the outer surface of the arms and on the front of the legs (Figure 1).  The patient reported a diet consisting mainly of white meat and processed foods. Although levels of serum folate, ferritin, zinc, and vitamins A, B₁, B₂, B₆, B₁₂, D, and E were within normal limits, the serum ascorbic acid level was low at 0.2 mg/dL (reference range 0.6–2.0 mg/dL). Ascorbic acid supplementation and dietary modification were recommended.

Ascorbic acid deficiency, or scurvy, is often considered a disease primarily of historical significance, with occurrences today limited to malnutrition or poverty.¹ However, 18% of adults in the United States consume less than the recommend daily allowance of ascorbic acid.² Ascorbic acid is minimally stored in the body,³ and scurvy can develop after 60 to 90 days of a diet free of ascorbic acid.⁴

Initial symptoms of fatigue, mood changes, and other constitutional symptoms are nonspecific, leading to a delay in diagnosis. Cutaneous manifestations include follicular hyperkeratosis associated with coiled or “corkscrew” hairs. Fragility of cutaneous blood vessels leads to perifollicular hemorrhages, petechiae, purpura, and ecchymoses. Extracutaneous manifestations are diverse and include oral involvement and intramuscular or intra-articular hemorrhage.¹ Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion in socially isolated adults, elderly patients, those with alcoholism, mental illness, or chronic illness, and those with restrictive dietary preferences, particularly with predominant intake of processed foods.⁵

A 22-year-old woman with a 1-year history of mild systemic lupus erythematosus presented with disproportionately severe constitutional symptoms of fatigue and malaise. Physical examination showed multiple follicular-based hyperkeratotic papules with coiled “corkscrew” hairs on the outer surface of the arms and on the front of the legs (Figure 1).  The patient reported a diet consisting mainly of white meat and processed foods. Although levels of serum folate, ferritin, zinc, and vitamins A, B₁, B₂, B₆, B₁₂, D, and E were within normal limits, the serum ascorbic acid level was low at 0.2 mg/dL (reference range 0.6–2.0 mg/dL). Ascorbic acid supplementation and dietary modification were recommended.

Ascorbic acid deficiency, or scurvy, is often considered a disease primarily of historical significance, with occurrences today limited to malnutrition or poverty.¹ However, 18% of adults in the United States consume less than the recommend daily allowance of ascorbic acid.² Ascorbic acid is minimally stored in the body,³ and scurvy can develop after 60 to 90 days of a diet free of ascorbic acid.⁴

Initial symptoms of fatigue, mood changes, and other constitutional symptoms are nonspecific, leading to a delay in diagnosis. Cutaneous manifestations include follicular hyperkeratosis associated with coiled or “corkscrew” hairs. Fragility of cutaneous blood vessels leads to perifollicular hemorrhages, petechiae, purpura, and ecchymoses. Extracutaneous manifestations are diverse and include oral involvement and intramuscular or intra-articular hemorrhage.¹ Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion in socially isolated adults, elderly patients, those with alcoholism, mental illness, or chronic illness, and those with restrictive dietary preferences, particularly with predominant intake of processed foods.⁵