title: [Diagnostics and treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome patients with an alcohol abuse].
abstract: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a condition with high morbidity and mortality and occurs as a consequence of thiamine deficiency. Clinical symptoms are often ambiguous and post-mortem examinations show that the syndrome is underdiagnosed and probably undertreated. There is sparse clinical evidence concerning optimal dosage and duration of treatment. This article reviews the current literature and concludes that all patients with a history of alcohol abuse should be treated with high dosage IV thiamine for an extended period of time, albeit further research is needed.
authors.affiliation: Psykiatrisk Center Ballerup, Denmark. n97marni@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sonne
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D020915:Korsakoff Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013831:Thiamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013832:Thiamine Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014899:Wernicke Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D013831:Thiamine