Adjuvant role of vitamin B analogue (sulbutiamine) with anti-infective treatment in infection associated asthenia.
OBJECTIVE
Asthenic symptoms such as weakness accompany illness. This study investigates whether the centrally acting cholinergic agent, vitamin B analogue (sulbutiamine), is effective and acceptable in relieving these symptoms in infectious disease when combined with specific anti-infective treatment.


METHODS
In a prospective uncontrolled, non-randomised, commercial, observational study, 1772 patients with an infectious disease and asthenic symptoms, drawn from the practice of 350 randomly selected physicians throughout India, received vitamin B analogue (sulbutiamine) in addition to specific anti-infective treatment for 15 days. The primary outcome variable was complete resolution of asthenic symptoms with treatment.


RESULTS
The number (%, 95% confidence interval) of patients with complete resolution of all asthenic symptoms was 916 (51.7, 49.4-54). In the remaining patients, severe asthenia was reduced but persisted in 11 (0.6, 0-26); and moderate asthenia in 94 (5.3, 0-17.6). The response was greater in patients with acute infection and symptoms more related to cerebral function. Side effects occurred in 10 (0.6%), patients and well being improved significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin B analogue (sulbutiamine) may be a useful adjunct to specific anti-infective treatment.
Shah
Siddharth N
SN
SL Raheja Hospital, Bombay Mutual Terrace, Mumbai.
D000328:Adult; D001247:Asthenia / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013831:Thiamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C031331:sulbutiamine; D013831:Thiamine