尸体解剖研究估计韦尼克脑病的发病率在美国为0.1%~1.0%,与欧洲相似。[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在发达国家,表现为韦尼克脑病的维生素B1缺乏症主要发生在慢性酒精滥用人群,特别是在营养摄入不佳的情况下。[2]Victor M, Adams RD, Collins GH. The Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and related neurological disorders due to alcoholism and malnutrition. Philadephia, PA: FA Davis Company; 1989.婴儿和儿童维生素 B1 缺乏症在西方国家极为罕见。由于大规模食用缺少硫胺素的精制大米,脚气病最常发生在东亚国家。该人群中维生素 B1 缺乏症发病率高达 58~66%。[3]Djoenaidi W, Notermans SL, Verbeek AL. Subclinical beriberi polyneuropathy in the low income group: an investigation with special tools on possible patients with suspected complaints. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1996;50:549-555.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8863016?tool=bestpractice.com[4]McGready R, Simpson JA, Cho T, et al. Postpartum thiamine deficiency in a Karen displaced population. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;74:808-813.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11722964?tool=bestpractice.com