Peripheral neuropathy is most often found in which type of beriberi?

Peripheral neuropathy is most often found in which type of beriberi?

• A. Wet beriberi
• B. Dry beriberi
• C. Neuropathic beriberi
• D. Endemic beriberi

Answer: (B)

Dry beriberi is characterized by peripheral neuropathy due to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. This condition primarily affects the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, pain, and altered sensory perceptions. The primary pathophysiology involves damage to the myelin sheaths of peripheral nerves, resulting in impaired conduction and nerve function. In contrast, wet beriberi typically manifests with cardiovascular symptoms, including edema and heart failure, rather than neurological changes. Neuropathic beriberi, while it suggests a form of the disease leading to neuropathy, is not a well-established term within the medical literature; it often refers to the neuropathy seen in dry beriberi instead. Endemic beriberi refers to geographic clusters of beriberi cases rather than a specific form of the disease. Thus, dry beriberi is the classic presentation associated with peripheral neuropathy due to a significant deficiency of thiamine, making it the correct choice in this context.

Dry beriberi is characterized by peripheral neuropathy due to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. This condition primarily affects the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, pain, and altered sensory perceptions. The primary pathophysiology involves damage to the myelin sheaths of peripheral nerves, resulting in impaired conduction and nerve function.

In contrast, wet beriberi typically manifests with cardiovascular symptoms, including edema and heart failure, rather than neurological changes. Neuropathic beriberi, while it suggests a form of the disease leading to neuropathy, is not a well-established term within the medical literature; it often refers to the neuropathy seen in dry beriberi instead. Endemic beriberi refers to geographic clusters of beriberi cases rather than a specific form of the disease.

Thus, dry beriberi is the classic presentation associated with peripheral neuropathy due to a significant deficiency of thiamine, making it the correct choice in this context.