The American journal of clinical nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The response to treatment of subclinical thiamine deficiency in the elderly.
The significance of subclinical thiamine deficiency in the elderly was determined by assessing response to thiamine supplementation in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-five of 222 people aged > or = 65 y had two concentrations of erythrocyte thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) < 140 nmol/L 3 mo apart and 41 other people had the first, but not the second, TPP concentration below this value. Both groups were randomly assigned in a double-blind trial to oral thiamine (10 mg/d) or a placebo. ⋯ We conclude that a low TPP concentration on two occasions is a better predictor of response to treatment than an isolated measurement. Quality of life was enhanced by providing thiamine supplements. Blood pressure and weight were lower after thiamine supplementation.