Persistent scurvy after vitamin C supplementation in a high-risk patient: a case report
November 2024
in “
AME Medical Journal
”
TLDR Vitamin C deficiency can persist in high-risk patients despite supplementation.
This case report discusses a 51-year-old male on hemodialysis with chronic kidney disease, untreated hepatitis C, tobacco use disorder, and housing instability, who was diagnosed with scurvy due to vitamin C deficiency. Despite supplementation with 500 mg of vitamin C twice daily for 14 days, the deficiency was not fully resolved after 120 days, highlighting the challenges in treating patients with socio-economic barriers and complex medical histories. The report emphasizes the importance of considering nutritional deficiencies in high-risk groups, such as those with limited access to healthcare and nutrition, and the need for comprehensive patient education and interdisciplinary support to prevent recurrence.