A Retrospective Case Series of Thiamine Deficiency in Non-Alcoholic Hospitalized Veterans: An Important Cause of Delirium and Falling?

Elisabeth Mates, Deepti Alluri, Tailer Artis, Mark S Riddle, Elisabeth Mates, Deepti Alluri, Tailer Artis, Mark S Riddle

Abstract

Thiamine deficiency (TD) in non-alcoholic hospitalized patients causes a variety of non-specific symptoms. Studies suggest it is not rare in acutely and chronically ill individuals in high income countries and is underdiagnosed. Our aim is to demonstrate data which help define the risk factors and constellation of symptoms of TD in this population. We describe 36 cases of TD in hospitalized non-alcoholic veterans over 5 years. Clinical and laboratory data were extracted by chart review +/- 4 weeks of plasma thiamine level 7 nmol/L or less. Ninety-seven percent had two or more chronic inflammatory conditions (CICs) and 83% had one or more acute inflammatory conditions (AICs). Of possible etiologies of TD 97% had two or more of: insufficient intake, inflammatory stress, or increased losses. Seventy-five percent experienced 5% or more weight loss. Ninety-two percent had symptoms with the most common being weakness or falling (75%) followed by neuropsychiatric manifestations (72%), gastrointestinal dysfunction (53%), and ataxia (42%). We conclude that TD is underdiagnosed in this population with consequent morbidity and mortality. TD likely develops because of inflammatory stress from CIC's compounded by AIC's combined with decreased energy intake or increased nutrient losses.

Keywords: beriberi; delirium; encephalopathy; falls; gastrointestinal dysfunction; inpatient; thiamine deficiency; thiamine deficiency symptoms; vitamin B1.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of cases with specific chronic inflammatory conditions. CKD = Chronic kidney disease; CHF = Congestive heart failure; COPD = Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; ASCVD = atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of cases with acute inflammatory conditions.

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