Vitamin B12 concentrations and clinical spectrum of apparently healthy elderly population
Introduction : Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is believed to increase with aging. The wide and non-specific spectrum of clinical presentations in patients poses a tough challenge to physicians suspecting vitamin B12 deficiency. Objectives : This study was conducted to collect data on prev...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences
2020-04-01
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| Series: | Perspectives In Medical Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.pimr.org.in/2020-vol8-issue-1/originalarticle8_v1.pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction : Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is believed
to increase with aging. The wide and non-specific spectrum of
clinical presentations in patients poses a tough challenge to
physicians suspecting vitamin B12 deficiency.
Objectives : This study was conducted to collect data on
prevalence and clinical features of vitamin B12 deficiency in
apparently healthy elderly population visiting hospitals, as the
results could help rationalize and direct the appropriate
management of vitamin B12 status in elderly.
Methods : This was a time bound cross sectional study where
apparently healthy individuals >50 years of age were
interviewed, examined and investigated in order to study their
vitamin B12 concentrations and associated clinical profile.
Results: A total of 103 participants were included. The mean
vitamin B12 level of the study population was 327.07 pg/ml
(S.D= 268.00). In the study, 43.7% (n=45 patients) had low
vitamin B12 levels (vitamin B12 deficiency) and 17.5 % (n=18
patients) had subnormal vitamin B12 levels. Among all the
symptoms recorded neurological followed by cardiovascular
symptoms were more commonly recorded in the patients with
vitamin B12 deficiency. Distal dysesthesia was more commonly
present in patients with deficient (p 0.044) than in patients
with normal vitamin B12 levels. Ataxia and Romberg’s sign
positivity were more common in patients with vitamin B12
deficiency when compares to normal vitamin B12 levels (p
0.002 and 0.006, respectively).
Conclusion: The study shows that vitamin B12 deficiency is a
common problem among elderly and the treating physician
should have high index of suspicion when they present with
neurological complaints. |
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| ISSN: | 2348-1447 2348-229X |