Thiamin concentration in geriatric hospitalized patients using frusemide.

Aim: To assess the association between thiamin concentration, frusemide use, and renal function in older adults.

Method: Thiamin concentration was measured in 73 consecutive admissions of patients aged over 65 years in a secondary care hospital. The patients were assigned to the study or control group based on frusemide use. A two-sample t test estimated the association between frusemide use and thiamin concentration and regression between thiamin concentration and EGFR.

Results: The mean (SD) thiamin concentration was 181.7 (64.6) nmol/L in those using frusemide and 169.3 (46.8) in non-users, P =0.35. There was a weak linear relationship between thiamin concentration and EGFR, with thiamin concentration being 17.0 nmol/L lower per 30 ml/min greater EGFR, P=0.076. Thiamin concentration was below the reference range in 20/73 (27.4%) of the participants.

Conclusion: We found no association between frusemide use and thiamin concentration, but showed a significant prevalence of lower thiamin concentration in the study population of older adults.