[Thiamine treatment today].

This article reviews some of the established data on thiamin and the most common symptoms of deficiency. Guidelines for appropriate therapy are offered. Thiamin or vitamin B1 was among the first vitamins to be discovered. Beriberi was the first disease to be associated with thiamin deficiency, and Wernicke's encephalopathy was shown to respond to thiamin treatment a few years later. However, thiamin treatment remains inadequate or delayed. Treatment is efficient in the early stages, but delays often causes permanent damage. It is important that all physicians are aware of what patients are susceptible to develop thiamin deficiency and that they recognize the symptoms as early as possible.