Nutrition and Vitamin Deficiencies · USMLE Step 1

A patient with chronic alcohol use presents with confusion, ophthalmoplegia and ataxia. Which vitamin deficiency should be suspected?

  1. Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
  2. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
  3. Vitamin B3 (niacin)
  4. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
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Correct answer: Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency in chronic alcohol use can precipitate Wernicke encephalopathy (confusion, ophthalmoplegia, ataxia) due to impaired carbohydrate metabolism in neurons.

Difficulty: Medium Question 6 of 21

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