Beriberi (Thiamine Deficiency) Questions & Answers

Updated: Feb 08, 2022
  • Author: Dieu-Thu Nguyen-Khoa, MD, FACP; Chief Editor: Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What is thiamine and what causes a deficiency?

Which foods are rich in thiamine?

What is the role of thiaminases in the etiology of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What is the role of cassava in the etiology of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What should be included in patient education about beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

How is beriberi (thiamine deficiency) diagnosed?

What are the treatment options for beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What is the pathophysiology of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What is dry beriberi?

What is wet beriberi?

Which dietary factors result in reduced thiamine intake leading to beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Which factors increase metabolic consumption of thiamine leading to beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Which factors increase depletion of thiamine leading to beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What is the role of diuretics in the etiology of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What are risk factors for the development of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Which factors decrease thiamine absorption leading to beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What is the role of bariatric weight-loss surgery in the etiology of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What is the role of folic acid in the etiology of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What is infantile beriberi?

What is the role of obesity in the etiology of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Which patient groups are at highest risk for beriberi (thiamine deficiency) in developed countries?

What is the global prevalence of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What is the prognosis of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Presentation

How does dieting contribute to the development of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What are the early symptoms of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What are the neurologic symptoms of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What are the cardiovascular symptoms of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What are the gastroenterologic symptoms of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What are the symptoms of infantile beriberi?

How can beriberi (thiamine deficiency) be differentiated from Guillain-Barre syndrome, and what is the prevalence of thiamine deficiency in cancer patients?

Why are patients with heart failure at an increased risk of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

How does alcoholism contribute to the development of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Which conditions increase the risk for beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

How does bariatric weight-loss surgery contribute to the development of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

DDX

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Why should beriberi (thiamine deficiency) be suspected in patients with thyrotoxicosis?

What are the differential diagnoses for Beriberi (Thiamine Deficiency)?

Workup

How is beriberi (thiamine deficiency) diagnosed?

What is the role of thyroid testing in the evaluation for beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

What is the role of troponin testing in the evaluation of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Treatment

What is included in the treatment of beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Which factors affect the daily requirements of thiamine to treat beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Medications

What are the goals of drug treatment for beriberi (thiamine deficiency)?

Which medications in the drug class Vitamins are used in the treatment of Beriberi (Thiamine Deficiency)?