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Thiamin deficiency and prevention of Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome: A major public health problem
Author(s) -
Yellowlees Peter M.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1986.tb113815.x
Subject(s) - etiology , public health , intervention (counseling) , medicine , psychiatry , pediatrics , environmental health , nursing
There has been long‐standing debate in Australia about the role of thiamin deficiency in the aetiology of the Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome, the prevalence of the syndrome itself and the preventive measures that might be undertaken to reduce the prevalence rates. A literature review, and the results of a study of the follow‐up arrangements of patients who were admitted with Korsakoff's syndrome to the two major South Australian psychiatric hospitals indicate that the syndrome is a major public health problem which requires immediate political intervention. Recommendations are made that a national policy of the fortification of flour and bread with thiamin, as well as of alcoholic beverages, should be implemented.