User:Mr. Ibrahem/Wernicke encephalopathy
| Mr. Ibrahem/Wernicke encephalopathy | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Wernicke's disease, Wernicke's encephalopathy[1] |
 | |
| Hypothalamus | |
| Symptoms | Abnormal movement of the eyes, poor coordination, confusion[2] |
| Complications | Korsakoff syndrome[2] |
| Usual onset | Sudden[2] |
| Causes | Thiamine deficiency[2] |
| Risk factors | Alcohol use disorder, malnutrition[3] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms[2] |
| Differential diagnosis | Alcohol withdrawal, electrolyte disorders, infection, drugs of abuse, head trauma[3] |
| Treatment | Thiamine supplements[2] |
| Frequency | 2%[4] |
| Deaths | 15% without treatment[2] |
Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a brain disorder that classically results in – abnormal movement of the eyes, poor coordination, and confusion.[2] Around 10% of people exhibit all three features, with confusion being the most common.[3][5] It is generally of sudden onset.[2] When people walk they usually have their feet apart and take small steps.[2]
It occurs due to thiamine deficiency.[2] Risk factors include alcohol use disorder and malnutrition, though genetics may also play a role.[2] Causes of malnutrition may include nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, eating disorders, or cancer.[3] Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms; though may be supported by measuring blood thiamine levels.[2][3] Without treatment about 80% of cases are complicated by Korsakoff syndrome, with its associated memory problems.[3] The combination is known as Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome.[2]
Treatment is with thiamine supplementation, which can lead to improvement within days to weeks, though some are left with permanent problems.[3] Often a thiamine dose of 100 to 200 mg, one to three times per day, injected into a vein, for 3 to 5 days is used.[3] Low magnesium should be treated if present.[2] Without treatment about 15% of people die.[2]
Wernicke's occurs in around 2% of people; though up to 12.5% of people with alcohol use disorder and 10% of people with AIDS are affected.[4] The condition is believed to be underdiagnosed.[3] It was initially described in 1881 by Carl Wernicke.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ "MeSH Browser". meshb.nlm.nih.gov. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Wernicke Encephalopathy - Special Subjects". Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Sinha, S; Kataria, A; Kolla, BP; Thusius, N; Loukianova, LL (June 2019). "Wernicke Encephalopathy-Clinical Pearls". Mayo Clinic proceedings. 94 (6): 1065–1072. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.02.018. PMID 31171116.
- ^ a b Isenberg-Grzeda E, Kutner HE, Nicolson SE (2012). "Wernicke-Korsakoff-syndrome: under-recognized and under-treated". Psychosomatics. 53 (6): 507–16. doi:10.1016/j.psym.2012.04.008. PMID 23157990.
- ^ Cook CC (2000). "Prevention and treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome". Alcohol and Alcoholism. 35 (Supplement 1): 19–20. doi:10.1093/alcalc/35.Supplement_1.19. PMID 11304070. Archived from the original on 2021-09-23. Retrieved 2021-04-17.