Prevalence of Low Plasma Vitamin B1 in the Stroke Population Admitted to Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin B1 (VitB1) deficiency in the stroke population admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Acute inpatient rehabilitation facility at an academic medical center. Participants: 119 consecutive stroke patients admitted to stroke service from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Plasma VitB1 level. Results: There were 17 patients (14%; 95% CI 9–22%) with low VitB1 with a range of 2–3 nmol/L, an additional 58 (49%; CI 40–58%) patients had normal low VitB1 with a range of 4–9 nmol/L, twenty-five patients (21%; CI 15–29%) had normal high VitB1 with a range of 10–15 nmol/L, and nineteen patients (16%; CI 10–24%) had high VitB1 with a range of 16–43 nmol/L. Conclusions: In this cohort of patients admitted to the stroke service at an acute rehabilitation facility, there is evidence of thiamine deficiency. Moreover, the data suggest that there is inadequate acute intake of VitB1. Given the role of thiamine deficiency in neurologic function, further study of the role of thiamine optimization in the acute stroke rehabilitation population is warranted.

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

“…Due to the integrated VA healthcare system where most veterans get nearly all their healthcare and social services support, we were well suited to describe the pre-TD longitudinal data and potential underlying factors. Taken together with prior published reports, our findings suggest TD in hospitalized patients is far more prevalent than has been traditionally considered, review of the literature suggests it is likely between 10 and 25% [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 37 ].…”

“…There have been many published accounts of TD in acutely and chronically ill patients with conditions such as end stage renal disease [ 11 ], cancer [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], heart failure [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ], dementia [ 19 , 20 ], acute psychiatric illness [ 21 ], stroke [ 22 ], diabetic ketoacidosis [ 23 ], critical illness [ 2 ], and medically complicated obesity [ 10 , 24 ]. Acute Illnesses which increase metabolic demands can lead to TD more quickly including severe sepsis [ 2 , 9 ].…”

Thiamine deficiency disorders: a clinical perspective

“…Neurologic symptoms are often reversed quickly with treatment, but lasting effects may be seen in severe cases or with delayed treatment. Thiamine levels are notably low in some patients with acute stroke, and it is not known just how thiamine deficiency relates to the occurrence of stroke 20 …”

“…Thiamine levels are notably low in some patients with acute stroke, and it is not known just how thiamine deficiency relates to the occurrence of stroke. 20 …”

Vitamin B1, eye and brain

“…Vitamin B1 (aneurin, thiamine) is a water-soluble vitamin that is crucial for glucose metabolism and is necessary for normal growth and development of the organism. Thiamine is essential for functioning of both central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems, visual, digestive and cardiovascular systems [2].…”