Vitamin Studies in Middle-Aged and Old Individuals

Abstract

Summary The literature concerning the effects of deficiency states on the appearance of gastrointestinal radiograms has been briefly reviewed. Roentgenological examinations of the gastro-intestinal tract were performed in 20 middle-aged and elderly individuals with normal blood thiamine levels, and in 20 patients with blood thiamine concentrations below 2.4 micrograms per cent. The latter group was re-examined 3 months later when the blood thiamine level had been returned to normal by oral administration of thiamine hydrochloride, at which time most of the clinical signs had disappeared. No significant radiological abnormalities were observed in either of the groups examined. These findings do not exclude the possibility that a more severe grade of thiamine deficiency may be accompanied by radiological evidence of gastrointestinal abnormality.