Prevalence of thiamin deficiency in hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure

Abstract

Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) may be at increased risk of thiamin deficiency (TD) as a result of diuretic induced urinary thiamin excretion, and malnutrition. Prevalence estimates of TD in CHF patients range widely depending on the population studied. Since TD can manifest as symptoms of CHF, it is critical to determine if hospitalized patients are at risk for TD as well as the factors contributing to TD. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of TD in a cross-section of hospitalized CHF patients and to investigate factors (diuretic type and dosage, urinary thiamin excretion, disease severity, thiamin intake, nutrition status, hospitalization, age and gender) that may contribute to its development.