Table 4 Biochemical assays for thiamin status before and after anti-malarial treatment among patients included in the study on thiamin treatment and Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Laos ^§

Basal erythrocyte transketolase activity, median (range) micromoles/min/gHb on admission

0.46 (0.12 – 3.75)

0.46 (0.15 – 1.17)

0.45 (0.12 – 3.75)

0.98

Basal erythrocyte transketolase activity, median (range) micromoles/min/gHb at day 42*

0.70 (0.16 – 3.91)

0.78 (0.33 – 2.64)

0.64 (0.16 – 3.91)

<0.001

Activated erythrocyte transketolase activity, median (range) micromoles/min/gHb on admission

0.54 (0.14 – 4.19)

0.55 (0.18 – 1.33)

0.54 (0.14 – 4.19)

0.78

Activated erythrocyte transketolase activity, median (range) micromoles/min/gHb at day 42*

0.80 (0.19 – 4.47)

0.87 (0.36 – 2.66)

0.74 (0.19 – 4.47)

<0.001

Alpha, mean (95%CI) on admission

20 (19 – 21)

20 (19 – 21)

20 (19 – 21)

0.54

Alpha, mean (95%CI) at day 42*

14 (13 – 15)

12 (11 – 13)

17 (16 – 17)

<0.001

Alpha > 31% on admission, no (%)

55 (9)

24 (8)

31 (10)

0.33

Alpha > 31% at day 42*, no (%)

10 (2)

2 (1)

8 (3)

0.05

Alpha < 15% on admission, no (%)

185 (29)

87 (28)

98 (31)

0.36

Alpha < 15% at day 42*, no (%)

384 (63)

243 (79)

141 (46)

<0.001

Alpha = 15 – 24% on admission, no (%)

248 (39)

139 (44)

109 (34)

0.012

Alpha = 15 – 24% at day 42*, no (%)

182 (30)

56 (18)

126 (41)

<0.001

Alpha ≥ 25% on admission, no (%)

169 (27)

76 (24)

93 (29)

0.13

Alpha ≥ 25% at day 42*, no (%)

38 (6)

5 (2)

33 (11)

<0.001