Abstract Details

Title Nonalcoholic Wernicke's Encephalopathy: A Retrospective Study of a Reemerging Neurological Disorder in Kashmir Region of Northern India.

Topic General Neurology

Presentation(s) P3 - Poster Session 3 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 4-075

Objective To describe the demographic features, clinical presentation, and management and outcome of fifty cases of nonalcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy from a tertiary care hospital of a region with reported incidence of thiamine deficiency disorders.

Background Clinicians in the region encounter a higher number of patients with Wernicke's encephalopathy than was previously known but problem has not been reported.

Design/Methods In a retrospective study, fifty adult cases of Wernicke's encephalopathy were analyzed. The diagnosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy was made according to the European federation of neurological societies guidelines 2010. Response to thiamine replacement and associated brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were also considered as supportive evidence.

Results The mean age of patients was 50.38 years with 20 males and 30 females. The most common clinical manifestations were alteration in sensorium in 30 (60%), ataxia in 18 (36%), memory impairment in 15 (30%), nystagmus in 35 (70%), ophthalmoparesis in 11 (22%), and seizures in 4 (8%). A total of 42 patients had a history of recurrent vomiting. All patients had polished rice as their staple diet. Thirty-five patients had associated polyneuropathy and 15 had a gastrointestinal disorder. Twenty patients underwent MRI which showed both typical and atypical lesions. Majority of patients showed partial or complete response to intravenous thiamine. On discharge, the most common residual symptoms were lower limb weakness, ataxia, and memory impairment.

Conclusions The study shows high incidence of nonalcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy in the region with predominant causative factor being a thiamine deficient diet. Recurrent vomiting can be a prominent early symptom of thiamine deficiency and its recognition can help in the early diagnosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy and related thiamine deficiency disorders.

Authors/Disclosures
Irfan A. Shah, MD (SKIMS) PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Ravouf P. Asimi, MD (Medwiz Healthcare Communications Pvt Ltd)	No disclosure on file
Bashir A. Sanaie, DM	No disclosure on file
Mushtaq A. Wani, MD	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file

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