What is a common consequence of chronic thiamine deficiency?

Chronic thiamine deficiency is most famously associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which includes neurological and psychological symptoms, but one of the significant physiological consequences in this context is congestive heart failure. This happens due to the vital role that thiamine (vitamin B1) plays in carbohydrate metabolism and energy production in the heart. A deficiency can lead to impaired cardiac function, which may manifest as congestive heart failure.

In cases of chronic deficiency, the heart becomes unable to effectively pump blood, leading to symptoms such as edema, dyspnea, and fatigue, synonymous with heart failure. Additionally, thiamine deficiency can lead to beriberi, which has two forms: "wet" beriberi primarily affects the cardiovascular system, contributing further to heart failure and fluid retention.

The other options, while potentially associated with thiamine deficiency, do not as directly correlate with congestive heart failure as a common consequence. Digestive issues and muscle spasms may occur, but they are not the hallmark consequences like heart failure. Psychiatric disorders are a concern in the setting of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome but again do not represent the systemic effect that thiamine deficiency has on the cardiovascular system as significantly