Identifying Social Determinants of Health Leads to the Diagnoses of Scurvy in the Developed World. Case Report

Identifying social determinants of health can help diagnose certain nutritional deficiencies. By overcoming these barriers, we can prevent future hospitalizations and better public health. We present a unique case where a 46-year-old man presents with bilateral lower extremity swelling secondary to vitamin C deficiency. Throughout history taking, his social determinants of health were identified and he was diagnosed with scurvy from the suspected poor nutritional intake. His poor nutritional intake could have resulted from a lack of financial stability and a harsh home environment. This case is evidence that social determinants of health can directly impact a patient’s well-being, and as physicians, we need to identify them to provide the most resources we can to help improve patient care. This in turn can decrease unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations.