Comparação dos casos de beribéri entre indígenas e não indígenas, Brasil, 2013 a 2018 / Comparison of beriberi cases in indigenous and non-indigenous people, Brazil, 2013 to 2018

Resumo O beribéri é a manifestação clínica da deficiência grave e prolongada de tiamina (vitamina B1). Doença negligenciada que acomete a população de baixa renda, em situação de insegurança alimentar e nutricional. O objetivo do estudo foi comparar casos de beribéri em indígenas com casos em não indígenas no Brasil. Trata-se de estudo transversal de casos notificados de beribéri no período de 2013 a 2018, no formulário do SUS (FormSUS) do Ministério da Saúde. Foram comparados os casos em indígenas e em não indígenas pelo teste qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher com nível de significância de p < 0,05. No período estudado foram notificados no país 414 casos de beribéri, sendo 210 (50,7%) indígenas. Referiram consumo de bebidas alcoólicas 58,1% dos indígenas e 71,6% dos não-indígenas (p = 0,004); adicionalmente, 71,0% dos indígenas consumiam caxiri (bebida alcoólica tradicional fermentada). Relataram fazer esforço físico diário 76,1% dos indígenas e 40,2% dos não-indígenas (p <0 ,001). Conclui-se que o beribéri no país acomete mais indígenas e está relacionado ao consumo de álcool e ao esforço físico.

Abstract Beriberi is the clinical manifestation of severe and prolonged thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. It is a neglected disease that affects low-income populations facing food and nutrition insecurity. The aim of this study was to compare cases of beriberi among indigenous and non-indigenous people in Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data on cases of beriberi during the period July 2013-September 2018 derived from beriberi notification forms available on the FormSUS platform. Cases in indigenous and non-indigenous patients were compared using the chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, adopting a significance level of 0.05. A total of 414 cases of beriberi were reported in the country during the study period, 210 of which (50.7%) were among indigenous people. Alcohol consumption was reported by 58.1% of the indigenous patients and 71.6% of the non-indigenous patients (p = 0.004); 71.0% of the indigenous patients reported that they consumed caxiri, a traditional alcoholic drink. Daily physical exertion was reported by 76.1% of the indigenous patients and 40.2% of the non-indigenous patients (p < 0.001). It is concluded that beriberi disproportionately affects indigenous people and is associated with alcohol consumption and physical exertion.

Effect of perinatal and postnatal thiamine deficiency on auditory pathway of the Wistar-Albino rats

Abstract Objective: In this study, we created an animal model to demonstrate the effects of thiamine on the hearing pathways of new-borns during pregnancy and lactation by inducing a dietary thiamine deficiency in the mother. Methods: The study included 16 female Wistar albino rats. The animals were separated into four groups and provided the appropriate amounts of dietary thiamine according to their groups during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and lactation periods. Three pups from each mother were included in the study, and 12 pups were selected from each group. On the fortieth day after birth, the auditory pathways of 48 pups in the 4 groups were examined electro physiologically and ultra-structurally. Results: In Group N-N, morphology of hair cells stereocilia degeneration was not obtained in all turns of cochlea. In Group N-T, Inner Hair Cells (IHCs) and Outher Hair Cells (OHCs) stereocilia didn't show degeneration in all turns of cochlea but had rupture inrows of HCs stereocilia. In group T-N IHCs stereocilia less degeneration was observed in all turns of cochlea. OHC stereocilia partial loss was observed only in basal turn of cochlea. In Group T-T IHCs stereocilia was observed less degeneration and rupture in all turns of cochlea. Conclusion: Thiamine is vital for the development of cochlear hair cells during both prenatal and postnatal periods. Even partial deficiency of thiamine causes significant degeneration to the auditory pathway. Level of evidence: The level of evidence of this article is 5. This article is an experimental animal and laboratory study.

Vestibular dysfunction in Wernicke encephalopathy / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To analyze the abnormal vestibular function of Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) and to explore its diagnostic value.Methods:WE patients who visited the Vertigo Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to January 2021 were retrospectively collected. All patients were evaluated by clinical neurology. Before treatment, all patients completed video head impulse test (vHIT) and video nystagmusgraphy (VNG) in addition to cranial magnetic resonance and serum thiamine level examination.Results:All 12 patients had a history of eating defects, including 8 cases of alcoholism. All 12 patients had walking instability, 7 cases had dizziness and 8 cases had oscillopsia. Six cases had ophthalmoplegia. All 12 cases showed positive gaze nystagmus. The pathological saccades of bilateral horizontal semicircular canals were found in 12 patients by vHIT before treatment, but there was only 1 patient showing abnormality in vertical semicircular canals, the difference being statistically significant ( P<0.05). All patients could detect bilateral, horizontal, gaze-evoked nystagmus, including 3 cases with vertical nystagmus, 1 case with abnormal saccade test, 3 cases with abnormal smooth tracking test and 1 case with abnormal optokinetic test. There were abnormalities in the caloric test, including 6 cases of bilateral dysfunction and 2 cases of unilateral dysfunction. Conclusions:WE patients may have abnormal vHIT and bilateral, horizontal, gaze-evoked nystagmus, which is similar to the special abnormal signs of simultaneous damage of both peripheral and central vestibular dysfunction.Vestibular function test is valuable for diagnosis of WE, and it is suitable for patients with a history of nutritional disorders who have dizziness or walking instability and suspected WE.

Probable first report of a motor deafferentation syndrome in the Paraguayan War / Provável primeiro relato de uma síndrome de desaferentação motora na Guerra do Paraguai

ABSTRACT The Paraguayan War ended 150 years ago. Back then, there were outbreaks of combatants' limb weakness and tingling related to "palustrian cachexia", not clearly funded at the time on nutritional deficiency, the use of native flora to feed troops, and alcoholism. We report a case of a soldier with ascending paralysis, mental confusion and finally tetraplegia with preserved oculomotricity. This would probably be a case of locked-in syndrome (LIS) due to Gayet-Wernicke's encephalopathy consequent to thiamine deficiency. The role of thiamine in the peripheral or central nervous system expression was shown decades later to be related to poor diet, or use of foods containing thiaminase or thiamine antagonists, worsened by the fact that the bodily stores of thiamine are restricted, and deficits may grow fast.

RESUMO A Guerra do Paraguai terminou há 150 anos. Houve surtos de fraqueza dos membros dos combatentes e parestesias relacionadas à "caquexia palustre", não claramente fundamentados na época sobre deficiência nutricional, o uso da flora nativa para alimentar as tropas e o alcoolismo. Referimo-nos a um caso de um militar com paralisia ascendente, confusão mental e finalmente tetraplegia com oculomotricidade preservada. Esse relato seria provavelmente devido a um caso de "síndrome do encarceramento" secundário à encefalopatia de Gayet-Wernicke consequente à deficiência de tiamina. O papel da tiamina na expressão periférica ou do SNC foi previsto décadas mais tarde em relação a uma dieta pobre, ou ao uso de alimentos contendo tiamina ou antagonistas da tiamina, agravado pelo fato de que as reservas corporais de tiamina são restritas, e os déficits podem se manifestar rapidamente.

Síndrome de Wernicke-Korsakoff em paciente gestante de 18 anos / Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome in an 18-year-old pregnant patient

A síndrome de Wernicke-Korsakoff é uma rara encefalopatia desencadeada pela deficiência de tiamina, uma vitamina do complexo B, que atua como importante cofator de enzimas responsáveis pela manutenção da homeostase da energia cerebral. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente de 18 anos, gestante, com diagnóstico prévio de pancreatite aguda biliar, que evoluiu à hiperêmese gravídica e à Wernicke-Korsakoff. Objetivamos, com este trabalho, chamar a atenção para a importância do diagnóstico imediato dessa síndrome diante de seu potencial em causar danos cerebrais irreversíveis, caso não tratada precocemente.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a rare encephalopathy triggered by deficiency of thiamine, a B-complex vitamin, which acts as an important cofactor of enzymes responsible for maintaining brain energy homeostasis. We present the case of an 18-year-old pregnant woman with previous diagnosis of acute biliary pancreatitis, who developed hyperemesis gravidarum and Wernicke-Korsakoff. With this work, we aim to draw attention to the importance of the immediate diagnosis of this syndrome in view of its potential to cause irreversible brain damage if not treated early.

Gastrointestinal Beriberi as a prodrome of non-alcoholic Wernicke’s encephalopathy: a study of an emerging nutritional deficiency disorder from Kashmir, India

Background: Gastrointestinal manifestations of thiamine deficiency have not been well described in literature. Authors aimed to study the symptoms of gastrointestinal beriberi in a cohort of patients of non-alcoholic Wernicke’s encephalopathy and review the relevant literature.Methods: In a retrospective analysis, case records of 52 patients diagnosed with non-alcoholic Wernicke’s encephalopathy were analyzed for the nature of gastrointestinal symptoms, their duration, severity and associated findings, investigations and response to treatment. The available literature on gastrointestinal symptoms in thiamine deficiency disorders and gastrointestinal beriberi was reviewed.Results: Gastrointestinal symptoms were found in 46 of the 52 patients. The most common gastrointestinal symptom in our patients was recurrent vomiting in 42 patients. Eight patients had water brash. Ten patients had epigastric pain and 10 patients had anorexia. Based on the nature and severity of symptoms, patients were evaluated for their symptoms using endoscopy, ultrasonography, amylase and lactate levels, and routine laboratory studies and the results were normal in the majority of patients.  Gastrointestinal symptoms settled in all the patients after receiving intravenous thiamine. On reviewing the literature multiple studies were found to have reported prominent gastrointestinal symptoms in patients of Wernickes encephalopathy and other thiamine deficiency related disorders. However, the definition of gastrointestinal beriberi is not clearly stated.Conclusions: Gastrointestinal symptoms were prominent prodromal manifestations in our cohort of Wernicke’s encephalopathy and have also been amply reported in literature. Presence of gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals predisposed to thiamine deficiency without alternative explanation should be enough to label a patient as gastrointestinal beriberi. The study highlights the importance of recognizing gastrointestinal beriberi as a distinct syndrome that may precede the development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy.

Thiamine deficiency related peripheral neuropathy in peripartum women of Kashmir, India: a hospital based study

Background: Beri Beri is still seen in Asian countries due to the large-scale consumption of thiamine depleted polished rice. Thiamine deficiency related disorders are increasingly being reported from Kashmir from last two decades. Specifically, a sensorimotor axonal neuropathy occasionally develops from thiamine deficiency and may occur even without associated Wernicke’s encephalopathy.Methods: This study is a retrospective observational study. All peripartum females referred to our departments from January 2016 to December 2017 with complaints of generalized weakness and or sensory symptoms in form of paresthesias /numbness in limbs were enrolled. Clinical features, electrophysiological features, course in hospital and response to treatment in suspected thiamine deficiency related neuropathy patients were recorded.Results: Forty-three cases were included in the study. Twenty-nine patients were suspected to have nutritional neuropathy because of thiamine deficiency at the time of admission. Out of these 27 showed improvement on treatment with thiamine.Conclusions: Thiamine responsive neuropathy is common in peripartum women of this part of world. Diagnosis is usually made clinically, in at risk individuals presenting with characteristic clinical features.

Thiamine Deficiency in a Child with Short Bowel Syndrome and Review / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Thiamine (vitamin B₁) is a water-soluble vitamin that is not endogenously synthesized in humans. It is absorbed by the small intestine, where it is activated. Its active form acts as a coenzyme in many energy pathways. We report a rare case of thiamine deficiency in a 3.5-year old boy with short bowel syndrome secondary to extensive bowel resection due to necrotizing enterocolitis during his neonatal age. The patient was parenteral nutrition-dependent since birth and had suffered from recurrent central catheter-related bloodstream infections. He developed confusion with disorientation and unsteady gait as well as profound strabismus due to bilateral paresis of the abductor muscle. Based on these and a very low thiamine level he was diagnosed and treated for Wernicke encephalopathy due to incomplete thiamine acquisition despite adequate administration. He fully recovered after thiamine administration. After 1999 eight more cases have been reported in the PubMed mostly of iatrogenic origin.

Wernicke's encephalopathy in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma post-Autologous HSCT

SUMMARY Wernick's Encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome caused by thiamine deficiency post hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). WE is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates, but due to its rare occurrence, it is rarely considered in patients submitted to this procedure. Considering that, the manuscript reports the clinical characteristics and the possible factors that predisposed the occurrence of WE in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma post-Autologous HSCT. We conclude that WE should be considered in patients submitted to autologous HSCT associated with prolonged use of TPN and malnutrition.

Thiamine deficiency contributes to synapse and neural circuit defects

BACKGROUND: The previous studies have demonstrated the reduction of thiamine diphosphate is specific to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and causal factor of brain glucose hypometabolism, which is considered as a neurodegenerative index of AD and closely correlates with the degree of cognitive impairment. The reduction of thiamine diphosphate may contribute to the dysfunction of synapses and neural circuits, finally leading to cognitive decline. RESULTS: To demonstrate this hypothesis, we established abnormalities in the glucose metabolism utilizing thiamine deficiency in vitro and in vivo, and we found dramatically reduced dendrite spine density. We further detected lowered excitatory neurotransmission and impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation, which are induced by TPK RNAi in vitro. Importantly, via treatment with benfotiamine, Aß induced spines density decrease was considerably ameliorated. CONCLUSIONS: These results revealed that thiamine deficiency contributed to synaptic dysfunction which strongly related to AD pathogenesis. Our results provide new insights into pathogenesis of synaptic and neuronal dysfunction in AD.

Wernicke's encephalopathy with chorea: Neuroimaging findings / Encefalopatia de Wernick e Coreia: achados de neuroimagem

ABSTRACT We present a case report of motor and cognitive disorders in a 36-year-old woman with a history of twelve years of heavy alcohol abuse. The patient presented depressive symptoms over the course of one year after a loss in the family, evolving with ataxia, bradykinesia and choreiform movements. Progressive cognitive decline, sleep alterations and myalgia were also reported during the course of disease evolution. Physical examination revealed spastic paraparesis with fixed flexion of the hips and knees with important pain upon extension of these joints. Initial investigation suggested the diagnosis of thiamine deficiency by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

RESUMO Um relato de caso de transtornos motor e cognitivo em uma mulher de 36 anos, com história de doze anos de abuso de álcool. A paciente apresentou sintomas depressivos ao longo de um ano após uma perda na família, evoluindo com ataxia, bradicinesia e movimentos coreiformes. O declínio cognitivo progressivo, alterações do sono e mialgia também foram relatados durante o curso da evolução da doença. O exame físico demonstrou paraparesia espástica com flexão fixa dos quadris e joelhos com dor importante na extensão dessas articulações. A investigação inicial sugeriu o diagnóstico de deficiência de tiamina por ressonância magnética cerebral (MRI).

Lactate, endothelin, and central venous oxygen saturation as predictors of mortality in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: Lactate and central venous oxygen saturation (ScVO2) are well known biomarkers for adequacy of tissue oxygenation. Endothelin, an inflammatory marker has been associated with patient’s nutritional status and degree of cyanosis. The aim of this study was to explore the hypothesis that lactate, ScVO2 and endothelin before induction may be predictive of mortality in pediatric cardiac surgery. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of 150 pediatric (6 months to 12 years) patients who were posted for intracardiac repair for tetralogy of fallot and measured lactate, ScVO2 and endothelin before induction (T1), 20 minutes after protamine administration (T2) and 24 hours after admission to ICU (T3). Results: Preinduction lactate and endothelin levels were found to predict mortality in patients of tetralogy of fallot with an odds ratio of 6.020 (95% CI 2.111-17.168) and 1.292(95% CI 1.091-1.531) respectively. In the ROC curve analysis for lactate at T1, the AUC was 0.713 (95% CI 0.526–0.899 P = 0.019). At the cutoff value of 1.750mmol/lt, the sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of mortality was 63.6% and 65.5%, respectively. For endothelin at T1, the AUC was 0.699 (95% CI 0.516–0.883, P = 0.028) and the cutoff value was ≤2.50 (sensitivity, 63.6%; specificity, 58.3 %). ScVO2 (odds ratio 0.85) at all three time intervals, suggested that improving ScVO2 can lead to 15% reduction in mortality. Conclusions: Lactate, ScVO2 and endothelin all showed association with mortality with lactate having the maximum prediction. Lactate was found to be an independent, reliable and cost-effective measure of prediction of mortality in patients with tetralogy of fallot.

Encefalopatía inducida por 5-fluorouracilo Un mismo agente, dos entidades diferentes / Encephalopathy induced by 5-fluorouracil The same agent, two different entities

La neurotoxicidad de los medicamentos antineoplásicos es un fenómeno de relativa frecuencia, que ocurre principalmente sobre el sistema nervioso periférico y más comúnmente con fármacos citotóxicos como platinos, taxanos y derivados de la vinca. La toxicidad sobre el sistema nervioso central asociado al uso del 5-fluorouracilo es por el contrario un evento poco común, pero no por ello menos importante. El clínico debe aprender a reconocer y tratar las dos variedades de esta condición médica: la encefalopatía aguda y la leucoencefalopatía subaguda; cada una con fisiopatología, manifestaciones clínicas y tratamiento diferentes. La siguiente presentación de casos ejemplifica estas dos variedades y brinda elementos diagnósticos y terapéuticos para cada una de ellas. (ActaMed Colomb 2015; 40: 338-344).

The neurotoxicity of anticancer drugs is a relatively common phenomenon, occurring mainly on the peripheral nervous system, most commonly with cytotoxic drugs such as platinum, taxanes and vinca derivatives. Toxicity on the central nervous system associated with the use of 5-fluorouracil is on the contrary a rare event, which does not make it less important. The clinician must learn to recognize and treat the two varieties of this medical condition: acute encephalopathy and sub-acute leukoencephalopathy, each with different pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and treatment. The following case presentation illustrates these two varieties and provides diagnostic and therapeutic elements for each one of them. (Acta Med Colomb 2015; 40: 338-344).

Presentación tardía de una encefalopatía de Wernicke tras gastrectomía por adenocarcinoma gástrico: a propósito de un caso / Late presentation of wernicke's encephalopathy after gastrectomy in a patient with gastric adenocarcinoma: case report

La encefalopatía de Wernicke es una emergencia neurológica caracterizada por la tríada clínica clásica de oftalmoplejia, ataxia y alteración del estado mental, que conlleva alta morbimortalidad. Se debe a un déficit de la vitamina B1 (tiamina), que en su forma activa desempeña un papel esencial en el metabolismo de neuronas de áreas específicas del cerebro. Aunque el alcoholismo es la causa más frecuente de este déficit, se han descrito numerosos agentes que pueden alterar la biodisponibilidad o el metabolismo de la tiamina (1), entre las que cabe destacar la cirugía del tracto gastrointestinal, sobre todo tras cirugía bariátrica. Por lo general el cuadro se produce entre las semanas cuatro y doce tras la resección, pero excepcionalmente se han descrito casos que ocurren de forma tardía (años). Presentamos el caso de un paciente intervenido de gastrectomía por un adenocarcinoma antropilórico que desarrolló una encefalopatía de Wernicke a los ocho años de la resección quirúrgica.

Wernicke encephalopathy is a neurological emergency characterized by classic clinical triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and disturbance of mental status, which carries high morbidity and mortality. It is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine), which plays an essential role in the metabolism of neurons in specific brain areas. While alcoholism is the most common cause of this syndrome, numerous etiologies have been described that alter the bioavailability or metabolism of thiamine (1), among which are included gastrointestinal tract surgery, mainly bariatric surgery. Usually the onset occurs between week 4 and 12 after resection, but some cases have been rarely described to occur late (years). We report the case of a patient who underwent gastrectomy for a gastric adenocarcinoma who developed Wernicke encephalopathy after 8 years of surgical resection.

Cardiovascular beriberi: rare cause of reversible pulmonary hypertension / 영남의대학술지

Cardiovascular beriberi is caused by thiamine deficiency and usually presents as high cardiac output failure associated with predominantly right-sided heart failure and rapid recovery after treatment with thiamine. Because of its rarity in developed countries, the diagnosis can often be delayed and missed. We recently experienced a case of cardiovascular beriberi with pulmonary hypertension which successfully treated with thiamine infusion. A 50-year-old man with chronic heavy alcoholics was refered to our department for dyspnea with mental change. Echocardiography showed marked right ventricular (RV) dilatation and flattening of the interventricular septum with a D-shaped deformation of the left ventricle. Moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation was found and estimated RV systolic pressure was 52 mm Hg. Because of his confused mentality and history of chronic alcohol intake, neurological disorder due to thiamine deficiency was suspected and intravenous thiamine was administered and he continuously received a daily dose of 100 mg of thiamine. Follow up echocardiography showed marked reduction of RV dilatation and improvement of a D-shaped deformation of the left ventricle. He finally diagnosed as cardiovascular beriberi on the basis of dramatic response to intravenous thiamine. Thiamine deficiency can cause reversible pulmonary hypertension, and can still be encountered in the clinical setting. Thus high index of suspicion is critically needed for diagnosis.

Wernicke's encephalopathy in a child with high dose thiamine therapy / 소아과

Wernicke's encephalopathy is an acute neurological disorder characterized by mental confusion, oculomotor dysfunction, and ataxia. It has been reported in individuals with alcohol dependence, hyperemesis gravidarum, and prolonged parenteral nutrition without vitamin supplementation. Here we present the case of a 13-year-old male patient with neuroblastoma and a history of poor oral intake and nausea for 3 months. After admission, he showed gait disturbances, nystagmus, and excessive dizziness; his mental state, however, indicated he was alert, which did not fit the classical triad of Wernicke's encephalopathy. A diagnosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy was made only after brain magnetic resonance imaging and serum thiamine level analyses were performed. The patient's symptoms remained after 5 days of treatment with 100-mg thiamine once daily; thus, we increased the dosage to 500 mg 3 times daily, 1,500 mg per day. His symptoms then improved after 20 days of replacement therapy. This case report describes a pediatric patient who was promptly diagnosed with Wernicke's encephalopathy, despite only 2 suspicious symptoms, and who completely recovered after high doses of thiamine were given intravenously.

Experiences of Wet Beriberi and Wernicke's Encephalopathy Caused by Thiamine Deficiency in Critically Ill Patients / 대한구급학회지

Wet beriberi and Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) are caused by thiamine deficiency and are potentially lethal and serious diseases. Thiamine deficiency occurs mainly due to poor oral intake or inadequate provision of thiamine in enteral or parenteral nutrition therapy. We report cases of wet beriberi and WE that developed after surgery in a surgical intensive care unit. The first patient, who was diagnosed with wet beriberi, underwent right total mastectomy and radical subtotal gastrectomy, simultaneously. The second was diagnosed with irreversible WE, respectively, due to long-term malnutrition. In both cases, intravenous replacement of thiamine was initiated after the admission to the surgical intensive care unit. However, comatose mentality of the second patient did not improve. As a result, we conclude that, if a patient's clinical feature is suspected to be thiamine deficiency, prompt intravenous thiamine replacement is needed.

Clinical signs, MRI features, and outcomes of two cats with thiamine deficiency secondary to diet change

Two cats were presented with vestibular signs and seizures. Both cats were diagnosed with thiamine deficiency. The transverse and dorsal T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed the presence of bilateral hyperintense lesions at specific nuclei of the midbrain, cerebellum, and brainstem. After thiamine supplementation, the clinical signs gradually improved. Repeated MR images taken 3 weeks after thiamine supplementation had started showed that the lesions were nearly resolved. This case report describes the clinical and MR findings associated with thiamine deficiency in two cats.

A Case of Cardiac Beriberi: A Forgotten but Memorable Disease

Thiamine (vitamin B1) serves as an important cofactor in body metabolism and energy production. It is related with the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters and the production of substances used in defense against oxidant stress. Thus, a lack of thiamine affects several organ systems, in particular the cardiovascular and nervous system. The cardiac insufficiency caused by thiamine deficiency is known as cardiac beriberi, with this condition resulting from unbalanced nutrition and chronic excessive alcohol intake. Given that the disease is now very rare in developed nations such as Korea, it is frequently missed by cardiologists, with potentially fatal consequences. Herein, we present a case study in order to draw attention to cardiac beriberi. We believe that this case will be helpful for young cardiologists, reminding them of the importance of this forgotten but memorable disease.

Perfil epidemiológico do beribéri notificado de 2006 a 2008 no Estado do Maranhão, Brasil / Epidemiological profile of reported beriberi cases in Maranhão State, Brazil, 2006-2008

This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of beriberi cases and related deaths reported from 2006 to 2008 in Maranhão State, Brazil. Data were obtained from beriberi notification forms at the State Health Department. The global Moran index was used to evaluate spatial auto-correlation. 1207 cases and 40 deaths were reported. The western and central regions of the State showed strong spatial auto-correlation of incidence rates. Cases and deaths were concentrated from May to August, in young men (20-40 years). Regular alcohol consumption and smoking were recorded among fatal cases. Low income and heavy labor were widespread among cases. Common symptoms were asthenia, numbness, and swollen legs, difficulty walking, and calf pain. The profile of cases and their symptoms (except swollen legs) are characteristic of dry beriberi. We recommend further studies on the resurgence of beriberi in Brazil.

O objetivo do estudo foi descrever o perfil epidemiológico dos casos e óbitos de beribéri notificados de 2006-2008 no Estado do Maranhão, Brasil. Informações foram obtidas de fichas de notificação da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Maranhão e utilizou-se o Índice Global de Moran para avaliar autocorrelação espacial. Foram notificados 1.207 casos e 40 óbitos. Regiões oeste e central mostraram forte presença de autocorrelação espacial da incidência. Ocorrência de casos e óbitos concentrou-se de maio a agosto, em homens jovens (20-40 anos). Hábito de consumir álcool e fumar esteve presente entre os óbitos; baixa renda e ocupação com atividade pesada, entre os casos. Os sintomas mais comuns foram diminuição da força, dormência e edema das pernas, dificuldade para caminhar e dor na panturrilha. O perfil dos acometidos e os sintomas, exceto edema de membros inferiores, são característicos de beribéri seco. É pertinente que estudos sobre seu ressurgimento no país sejam aprofundados.