Which two populations may require thiamin supplementation?

Which two populations may require thiamin supplementation?

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

Answer: (C)

Thiamin supplementation is most often considered for groups with a high risk of deficiency. Alcohol use disrupts thiamin status in several ways: poor dietary intake, intestinal absorption issues, liver disease that affects storage, and impaired metabolism of thiamin. This combination markedly raises the risk of severe deficiency and neurologic complications such as Wernicke’s encephalopathy, so prophylactic thiamin is commonly recommended in this population. Malnutrition on its own also depletes thiamin stores because intake is insufficient and body reserves are used up more quickly. Even without alcohol, someone who is malnourished is vulnerable to deficiency and its consequences, so supplementation is appropriate there as well. Healthy adults with adequate nutrition generally don’t need routine thiamin supplementation, because their intake and stores typically support normal function. That’s why the two groups most likely to require supplementation are those with alcohol use and those who are malnourished.

Thiamin supplementation is most often considered for groups with a high risk of deficiency. Alcohol use disrupts thiamin status in several ways: poor dietary intake, intestinal absorption issues, liver disease that affects storage, and impaired metabolism of thiamin. This combination markedly raises the risk of severe deficiency and neurologic complications such as Wernicke’s encephalopathy, so prophylactic thiamin is commonly recommended in this population.

Malnutrition on its own also depletes thiamin stores because intake is insufficient and body reserves are used up more quickly. Even without alcohol, someone who is malnourished is vulnerable to deficiency and its consequences, so supplementation is appropriate there as well.

Healthy adults with adequate nutrition generally don’t need routine thiamin supplementation, because their intake and stores typically support normal function. That’s why the two groups most likely to require supplementation are those with alcohol use and those who are malnourished.