Table 1.

Characteristics of beriberi outbreak cases (N = 42), September 2013–July 2014, French Guiana

	N	Percent
Demographics
Median age (range)	36 (22–65)
Sex (male)	37	88
Country of birth
Brazil	42	100
State of Maranhao	38	90
State of Piaui	2	4.7
State of Grande Norte	2	4.7
Duration of stay in French Guiana Amazonian forest before admission
Median in months (range)	9 (2–360)
Duration of stay in the last gold mine camp
Median in months (range)	6 (2–60)
Name of gold mine camp
Eaux Claires	29	69
Marodeio	3	7.1
Pied de Limon	3	7.1
La Gresia	1	2.3
Benzdorp	2	4.6
Bafadim	1	2.3
Antonio do Brinco	1	2.3
Saint Elie	1	2.3
Missing data	2	4.6
Occupational exposures
Uses mercury in mining	3 (N = 13)	23
Working hours > 12 hours per day	8 (N = 12)	66.6
Working hours < 12 hours per day	4 (N = 12)	33
Classification/type of beriberi*
Wet beriberi	28	66.6
Dry beriberi	0	0
Mixed beriberi	13	31
Shoshin beriberi	1	2.3
Outcome†
Recovery after thiamine supplementation	30	71.4
Relapse after thiamine supplementation	2	4.7
Death before thiamine supplementation	1	2.3
Missing follow-up data	9	21.4

^*Dry beriberi was defined by the presence of polyneuropathy of the extremities, reduced tendon reflexes and progressive weakness, and wasting of muscles without cardiac signs. Wet beriberi was characterized by edema, pulmonary congestion with pleural effusions, and signs of high cardiac output. Mixed beriberi was defined by the presence of both wet and dry symptoms. Shoshin beriberi cases were classified as a fulminant form with lactic acidosis, hypotension, tachycardia, and pulmonary edema.

^†Recovery was defined by a complete resolution of signs and symptoms at the medical examination during the 2-month follow-up after the end of the treatment.