Increasing incidence of Korsakoff's psychosis in the east end of Glasgow

Alcohol Alcohol. 1997 May-Jun;32(3):281-5. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008268.

Abstract

A retrospective analysis of all admissions between 1990 and 1995 in a population of 160,000 identified 47 new cases of Korsakoff's psychosis only seven of which were preceded by Wernicke's encephalopathy. There was a higher ratio of females to males, relative to admissions for severe alcohol dependence. It postulated that the increasing incidence may be related to the warning of anaphylaxis and subsequent withdrawal of high-potency parenteral multivitamins with thiamine.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / etiology
  • Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / prevention & control
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Admission / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Scotland / epidemiology
  • Thiamine / administration & dosage
  • Thiamine / adverse effects
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Wernicke Encephalopathy / epidemiology
  • Wernicke Encephalopathy / etiology
  • Wernicke Encephalopathy / prevention & control

Substances

  • Thiamine