Bariatric Wernicke's encephalopathy
I agree with Velotti, Vitiello, Berardi, Milone and Musella that thiamine deficiency
is an underestimated risk of bariatric surgery. It is better to prevent than to treat
vitamine B1 deficiency early on. Also, the risk for thiamine deficiency is chronic
after the bariatric procedures, therefore indeed chronic prophylaxis is required.
One finding from our systematic research on bariatric Wernicke's Encephalopathy patients
was that many patients (up to 30–35%) do not go to follow-up meetings following a
bariatric intervention, suggesting that the prophylactic treatment plans for thiamine
deficiency should be discussed in the first meeting with the patient [
[1]
Oudman E.
Wijnia J.W.
van Dam M.
Biter L.U.
Postma A.
Preventing Wernicke encephalopathy after bariatric surgery.
Obes. Surg. 2018; 28: 2060-2068
]. Fasting (or extreme dietary restrictions), hyperemesis, infections as a complication
on the treatment site, and additional somatic conditions all can lead to a potential
risk for bariatric Wernicke's Encephalopathy later on [
[2]
Wernicke's encephalopathy: new clinical settings and recent advances in diagnosis
and management.
Lancet Neurol. 2007 May; 6: 442-455
].
Comments (0)