Vitamin B1 deficiency - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency is the underlying cause of several clinical syndromes, including Wernicke encephalopathy, wet beriberi, and dry beriberi, rather than a single clinical condition or diagnosis.
Clinical presentation depends on the chronicity of the deficiency.
As signs and symptoms are nonspecific, the presence of risk factors raises suspicion of the diagnosis.
Risk factors include alcohol dependence, malabsorption, and a diet low in thiamine (e.g., based on polished rice).
As there is no rapid diagnostic test for the condition, presumptive treatment should be commenced immediately if vitamin B1 deficiency is suspected.

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History & Exam
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Citations

Key Articles

Whitfield KC, Bourassa MW, Adamolekun B, et al. Thiamine deficiency disorders: diagnosis, prevalence, and a roadmap for global control programs. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2018 Oct;1430(1):3-43.[Abstract][Full Text]
World Health Organisation, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Thiamine deficiency and its prevention and control in major emergencies. 1999 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Galvin R, Bråthen G, Ivashynka A, et al. Guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of Wernicke encephalopathy. Eur J Neurol. 2010 Dec;17(12):1408-18.[Abstract][Full Text]
World Health Organization. The management of nutrition in major emergencies. 2000 [internet publicaton].[Full Text]
Day E, Bentham PW, Callaghan R, et al. Thiamine for prevention and treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome in people who abuse alcohol. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jul 1;(7):CD004033.[Abstract][Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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56. Thomson AD. Mechanisms of vitamin deficiency in chronic alcohol misusers and development of the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Alcohol Alcohol Suppl. 2000 May-Jun;35(1):2-7.[Abstract]
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