Question

Prolonged thiamine deficiency in the diet leads to

• A. Anaemia
• B. Loss of muscle tone and damage to nerves
• C. Haemorrhage
• D. Pellagra

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

When healthy individuals are deprived of thiamine, thiamine stores are depleted within 1 month. However, within a week after thiamine intake stops, healthy people develop a resting tachycardia, weakness and decreased deep tendon reflexes. Some people develop a peripheral neuropathy. Thiamine deficiency with nervous system involvement is termed dry beriberi. This presentation usually occurs when poor caloric intake and relative physical inactivity are present. The neurologic findings can be peripheral neuropathy characterized by symmetrical impairment of sensory, motor and reflex functions of the extremities, especially in the distal lower limbs. Histologic analysis has shown that the lesions arise from a degeneration of the myelin in the muscular sheaths without inflammation.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B.