Thiamine Deficiency

 This morning we discussed a case of thiamine deficiency. Thiamine, or Vitamin B1, is a water soluble vitamin, found largely yeast, legumes, pork, rice, and cereals.

Two major thiamine deficiency disorders have been described in adults.

1. Beriberi: hallmark of adult beriberi is symmetrical peripheral neuropathy. Wet beriberi also involved cardiomyopathy and CHF.
2. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: Wernicke is an acute presentation of nystagmus, opthamoplegia, ataxia and confusion. Korsakoff syndrome is the chronic condition that involves impaired short-term memory and confabulation with otherwise grossly normal cognition.

 Uptodate have a good review article on Water soluble vitamin deficiencies.

I like to point you toward a really good review about determinant of healthy eating among low-income Canadians. As we care for our patients, it is very important that we appreciate the socio-economic context of their illness.