Review of thiamine deficiency disorders: Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis, forming Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52076/eacad-v4i2.503

Keywords:

Alcohol use disorder; Bariatric surgery; Ophthalmoplegia; Thiamine; Vitamin B1; Wernicke's Encephalopathy; Wernicke's Triad.

Abstract

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) and Korsakoff syndrome (KS) are distinct neurological disorders that may have overlapping clinical features. Due to the overlap, they are collectively referred to as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. WE has been associated with thiamine-induced diencephalic and midbrain dysfunction. WE usually presents with confusion, ophthalmoplegia, nystagmus, and gait ataxia (Wernicke's triad), although they do not always occur together. Although WE occurs mainly in alcoholics, other etiologies must also be considered, such as after bariatric surgery. Early diagnosis and intravenous thiamine therapy are essential to prevent WE complications and reduce morbidity and mortality. Therefore, allowing physicians and patients to understand WE is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, the narrative review aims to provide the latest information on WE by reviewing articles published between April 2015 and April 2022 on the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management updates of WE. Literature searches were performed using EMBASE, PubMed, Google Scholar, Google, and Scopus search engines.

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Published

30/08/2023

How to Cite

Paz, J. V. C. da, Beckman, L. F. ., Giacomo, B. S. A. ., Rosário, L. C. V. do ., Nascimento , A. D. S. J. ., Pinheiro , V. C. S. ., Luz, M. A. P. ., Santos Ribeiro , L. dos ., Santos, L. M. S. ., Pinto, C. S. ., Mattos, G. C. ., Alves, A. A. G. ., Sousa, K. M. M. de ., Freitas , C. M. de ., Arrivabene, K. C. S. ., Ribeiro, T. A. F. ., Guimarães, J. V. A. ., Queiroga, A. V. R. ., Ribeiro, M. C. R. L. de M. ., Souza, J. J. de H. ., Luz, A. M. N. S. da ., & Souza, M. M. . (2023). Review of thiamine deficiency disorders: Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis, forming Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. E-Acadêmica, 4(2), e3742503. https://doi.org/10.52076/eacad-v4i2.503

Issue

Section

Health and Biological Sciences