Which disease can lead to a deficiency in collagen synthesis, manifesting as poor wound healing?

Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which plays a critical role in collagen synthesis. Collagen is an essential structural protein in the body, providing strength and integrity to connective tissues, skin, blood vessels, and bones. Vitamin C acts as a cofactor for the enzymes responsible for the hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues in collagen precursors, which is necessary for the formation of stable collagen fibers.

Without sufficient vitamin C, the body is unable to properly form and cross-link collagen, leading to weak and unstable collagen fibers. This deficiency manifests in several ways, including poor wound healing, weakened blood vessels, and gum disease, all of which are characteristic features of scurvy. Manifestations may include skin lesions, easy bruising, joint pain, and a general inability to heal properly, which are directly attributable to the impaired collagen synthesis.

In contrast, while diabetes mellitus can have a variety of effects on wound healing, it primarily relates to impaired blood flow and increased susceptibility to infections. Cushing's syndrome and hyperparathyroidism also lead to their own set of clinical issues, but they are not directly linked with a deficiency in collagen synthesis in the way that scurvy