Thiamine deficiency in cancer patients at initial admission to a palliative care unit: a single-centre cross-sectional study.

ObjectivesThiamine deficiency (TD) has been increasingly reported among patients undergoing active cancer treatment. However, its status in end-of-life cancer patients admitted to palliative care units remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of TD and associated factors in end-of-life cancer patients on initial admission to a palliative care unit.MethodsThis single-centre descriptive cross-sectional study included end-of-life cancer patients admitted for the first time to a palliative care unit between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2023. Whole blood thiamine concentrations measured on admission were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The TD group was defined as