根据未加选择的尸检研究,疾病患病率在全球为 0.8% 至 2.8%。[1]Harper C, Fornes P, Duyckaerts C, et al. An international perspective on the prevalence of the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Metab Brain Dis. 1995;10:17-24.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7596325?tool=bestpractice.com[2]Torvik A. Wernicke's encephalopathy: prevalence and clinical spectrum. Alcohol Alcohol Suppl. 1991;1:381-384.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1845567?tool=bestpractice.com临床研究发现,患病率更低,在 0.04% 至 0.13% 之间,推测可能存在诊断不足。[3]Harper CG, Giles M, Finlay-Jones R. Clinical signs in the Wernicke-Korsakoff complex: a retrospective analysis of 131 cases diagnosed at necropsy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1986;49:341-345.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3701343?tool=bestpractice.com[4]Victor M, Adams RD, Collins GH. The Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: a clinical and pathological study of 245 patients, 82 with post-mortem examinations. Contemp Neurol Ser. 1971;7:1-206.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5162155?tool=bestpractice.com以下人群的患病率更高:酒精依赖者 (12.5%),AIDS 患者 (10%),以及骨髓移植患者 (6%)。[5]Torvik A, Lindboe CF, Rogde S. Brain lesions in alcoholics: a neuropathological study with clinical correlations. J Neurol Sci.1982;56:233-248.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7175549?tool=bestpractice.com[6]Boldorini R, Vago L, Lechi A, et al. Wernicke's encephalopathy: occurrence and pathological aspects in a series of 400 AIDS patients. Acta Biomed Ateneo Parmense. 1992;63:43-49.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1340667?tool=bestpractice.com[7]Bleggi-Torres LF, de Medeiros BC, Werner B, et al. Neuropathological findings after bone marrow transplantation: an autopsy study of 180 cases. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2000;25:301-307.http://www.nature.com/bmt/journal/v25/n3/full/1702140a.htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10673702?tool=bestpractice.com男性患病率高于女性,男女比为 1.7:1。[4]Victor M, Adams RD, Collins GH. The Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: a clinical and pathological study of 245 patients, 82 with post-mortem examinations. Contemp Neurol Ser. 1971;7:1-206.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5162155?tool=bestpractice.com