Reversible Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Scurvy in a Patient with a Psychiatric Disorder: a Case Report and Literature Review
  • Carolina Cavalcanti Gonçalves Ferreira
    Internal Medicine Service, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
  • Deborah de Sá Pereira Belfort
    Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Paulo Miranda Cavalcante Neto
    Respiratory Diseases Service, Institute of Medical Assistance to the State Public Servant, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Pedro Alves da Cruz Gouveia
    Internal Medicine Service, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Keywords

Ascorbic acid deficiency, scurvy, pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be related to several diseases, such as connective tissue disorders and pulmonary embolism, or to drugs; it may also be idiopathic. Few cases have been reported demonstrating an association between ascorbic acid deficiency and reversible PH. We report the case of a patient who arrived at the emergency department with dyspnoea, tachycardia and lower limb perifollicular haemorrhage. Examinations, including a transthoracic echocardiogram, revealed enlarged right chambers and an estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 61 mmHg. Further evaluation revealed poor food intake due to paranoid personality disorder, leading to ascorbic acid deficiency and manifestations of scurvy.

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    Published: 2020-01-10
    Issue: 2020: Vol 7 No 2 (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Ferreira CCG, Belfort D de SP, Cavalcante Neto PM, Gouveia PA da C. Reversible Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Scurvy in a Patient with a Psychiatric Disorder: a Case Report and Literature Review. EJCRIM 2020;7 doi:10.12890/2020_001404.