Vitamin B3 deficiency (pellagra) can arise in patients with anorexia nervosa, where severely restricted intake leads to inadequate niacin levels alongside broader nutritional depletion. Effective management in this context requires addressing both the deficiency and the underlying eating disorder.
Clinical scenario: Vitamin B3 deficiency occurring in the context of anorexia nervosa — an eating disorder in which chronic dietary restriction creates the conditions for pellagra to develop, often accompanied by concurrent B-vitamin deficiencies.
Management centres on oral nicotinamide (niacinamide) supplementation combined with preparations of other group B vitamins, together with causal treatment that includes specialist consultations and psychotherapy directed at the anorexia nervosa itself.
Dosing schedule, duration, sequencing, and full clinical protocol details are available in the structured regimen…DOI: 10.24425/fmc.2021.138956
It is vital to administer preparations of other group B vitamins as well, because patients with pellagra often suffer from multivitamin deficiencies.
For pellagra developing due to alcohol abuse or eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa), appropriate causal treatment includes proper specialist consultations, and, ultimately, addiction therapy or psychotherapy, respectively.
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