Which two patient populations may require thiamin supplementation?

Which two patient populations may require thiamin supplementation?

• A. Alcoholic
• B. Malnourished
• C. Both alcoholic and malnourished
• D. Athletes

Answer: (C)

Thiamine supplementation is commonly needed in patients at risk for deficiency due to poor intake or increased utilization, notably those with chronic alcohol use or malnutrition. Alcohol interferes with thiamine absorption, storage, and utilization, and people with alcohol use disorder often have very limited dietary intake, putting them at high risk for deficiency and related neurological complications like Wernicke’s encephalopathy, especially during refeeding. Malnourished individuals have insufficient dietary thiamine and may become deficient more quickly during stress or illness. Athletes, unless they have additional risk factors such as very restricted diets or malabsorption, are not routinely at high risk for thiamine deficiency. Hence, both alcoholic and malnourished patient populations may require thiamin supplementation.

Thiamine supplementation is commonly needed in patients at risk for deficiency due to poor intake or increased utilization, notably those with chronic alcohol use or malnutrition. Alcohol interferes with thiamine absorption, storage, and utilization, and people with alcohol use disorder often have very limited dietary intake, putting them at high risk for deficiency and related neurological complications like Wernicke’s encephalopathy, especially during refeeding. Malnourished individuals have insufficient dietary thiamine and may become deficient more quickly during stress or illness. Athletes, unless they have additional risk factors such as very restricted diets or malabsorption, are not routinely at high risk for thiamine deficiency. Hence, both alcoholic and malnourished patient populations may require thiamin supplementation.