PREVALENCE OF WERNICKE-KORSAKOFF-SYNDROME IN AUSTRALIA - HAS THIAMINEFORTIFICATION MADE A DIFFERENCE

Objective: To determine the prevalence of the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndr ome (WKS) in Australia and compare this with previous studies. Design and setting: Prospective autopsy study at the New South Wales Institut e of Forensic Medicine, 1996-1997. Methods: Brains of deceased people (aged over 15 years) derived from 2212 sequential autopsies performed between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1997 were studied macroscopical ly and microscopically to identify cases of WKS. Main outcome measures : Standard histological criteria for WKS and any available clinical da ta. Results: Twenty-five cases of WKS were identified (prevalence, 1.1 %), mostly among the 5.9% of the 2212 people who had a history suggest ive of alcohol abuse. Only four cases (16%) had been diagnosed during life. Conclusions: There has been a significant reduction in the preva lence of WKS in Australia since the introduction of thiamine enrichmen t of bread flour. While the prevalence is still higher than in most ot her Western countries, further research is needed before adding thiami ne to alcoholic beverages can be recommended.