Thiamine deficiency in the bereaved after cancer-related spousal loss.

Thiamine deficiency in the bereaved after cancer-related spousal loss. Palliat Support Care. 2019 May 20;:1-3 Authors: Onishi H, Uchida N, Takahashi T, Furuya D, Ebihara Y, Sato I, Ito H, Ishida M Abstract OBJECTIVE: Thiamine deficiency (TD) is recognized in various kinds of disease with associated loss of appetite including cancer. However, it has not been recognized to date in bereaved partners after spousal loss from cancer. METHOD: From a series of bereaved partners who lost a spouse to cancer, we report on those who developed TD after bereavement.ResultCase 1 was a 57-year-old woman who sought consultation at our "bereavement clinic." Her husband had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer one year earlier and had died one month previously. At the first visit, she was observed to suffer depression, anxiety, and decreased appetite. Neurological, blood, and biochemical examinations did not reveal any noteworthy findings. She was diagnosed with uncomplicated bereavement. Detailed examination revealed that her appetite had been markedly decreased for approximately five weeks. The diagnosis of TD was supported by her abnormally low serum thiamine level. Case 2 was a bereaved 73-year-old male who had lost his wife to hypopharyngeal cancer one month previously after a five-year illness. He had shown a lack of energy for the month preceding his wife's death, but because there was no improvement after her death, his family recommen...
Source: Palliative and Supportive Care - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Tags: Palliat Support Care Source Type: research