Which of the following diseases may occur due to deficiency of thiamine?

Appeared in: UPPSC-2021

Explanation

Thiamine is also known as Vitamin B1.
A deficiency of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) directly causes the disease known as Beri-beri.
Beri-beri primarily affects the cardiovascular system (wet beriberi) and the nervous system (dry beriberi).
Severe thiamine deficiency, often seen in chronic alcoholism, can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a serious neurological condition.

Option B: Pellagra is caused by a deficiency of Niacin (Vitamin B3), not thiamine.
Option C: Dermatitis is a symptom (inflammation of the skin), not a specific deficiency disease. While it can be a feature of some vitamin deficiencies like pellagra, it is not the primary disease caused by thiamine deficiency.
Option D: Scurvy is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), not thiamine.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of the disease caused by thiamine deficiency as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to identify patients at high risk for thiamine deficiency, such as those with chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, or post-bariatric surgery, to monitor for signs of beriberi.
A critical nursing intervention is to administer thiamine before glucose in at-risk patients. Giving glucose first can rapidly use up the last reserves of thiamine for metabolism, acutely precipitating Wernicke's encephalopathy, a neurological emergency.
What if? If a patient with a history of heavy alcohol use presents with confusion, unsteady gait, and abnormal eye movements, the nurse should suspect Wernicke's encephalopathy and anticipate immediate orders for intravenous thiamine, even before lab results are back.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem, which is 'thiamine'.
Recall or determine the alternative name for thiamine, which is Vitamin B1.
Access your knowledge base about vitamin deficiencies and the specific diseases they cause.
Evaluate each option: 'Beri-beri' is the classic disease of thiamine (B1) deficiency. 'Pellagra' is linked to niacin (B3). 'Scurvy' is linked to Vitamin C. 'Dermatitis' is a general symptom, not a specific disease.
Select 'Beri-beri' as the direct and correct match for thiamine deficiency.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QpnZCnYdwPzuPFljkRK2wJ

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 734-736

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 153-155

Practise the full UPPSC-2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.