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Wernicke's encephalopathy in crack-cocaine addiction
P H Sukop1, F H P Kessler2, A G Valerio3
1Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2400, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil.
Hypothesis:
Crack-cocaine addiction is associated with a variety of conditions that increase risk of thiamine deficiency and Wernicke's encephalopathy.
Evidence:
We report a case of Wernicke's encephalopathy in a crack-cocaine addict who did not habitually consume alcohol. We list some conditions associated with crack-cocaine addiction that may contribute to thiamine deficiency.
Implications:
Clinicians should bear in mind that crack-cocaine addiction may be associated with Wernicke's encephalopathy, mainly due to malnutrition. We suggest that routine Wernicke's encephalopathy prophylaxis with parenteral thiamine be provided to patients with chronic crack-cocaine addiction, as is already established practice in chronic alcoholics, so as to prevent cognitive damage in this population.