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  • Title: [Wernicke's encephalopathy].
    Author: Andersson JE.
    Journal: Ugeskr Laeger; 1996 Feb 12; 158(7):898-901. PubMed ID: 8638325.
    Abstract:
    Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a neuropsychiatric disorder caused by thiamine (vitamin B1)-deficiency. WE is most commonly seen among patients with alcohol abuse, and thiamine deficiency is here caused by several factors, among others inadequate diet, insufficient gastrointestinal absorption and enzymatic abnormalities. The syndrome, however, is also seen among non-alcoholic, undernourished patients, e.g. certain patients with cancer or AIDS. The diagnosis WE has traditionally been given when the triad of confusion, ataxia and ophthalmoplegia was present. However, it should be recognised, that these three symptoms are not always present at the same time, partly because the mental symptoms often dominate and cloud, possible ocular abnormalities and ataxia. The syndrome is, according to the author's opinion, still underdiagnosed. The treatment of WE, consisting of large doses of intravenous thiamine, is effective and safe, and therefore it is important to be aware of WE among risk-patients, especially among patients with alcohol abuse, and to institute treatment with intravenous thiamine at the slightest suspicion.
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