Cobalamin deficiency in the elderly: aetiology and management: a study of 125 patients in a geriatric hospital

Diagnosis, Treatment and Long-Term Management of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Adults: A Delphi Expert Consensus

Background/Objectives: Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause variable symptoms, which may be irreversible if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. We aimed to develop a widely accepted expert consensus to guide the practice of diagnosing and treating B12 deficiency. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of the literature published in PubMed since January 2003. Data were used to design a two-round Delphi survey to study the level of consensus among 42 experts. Results: The panelists agreed on the need for educational and organizational changes in the current medical practices for diagnosing and treating B12 deficiency. Recognition of clinical symptoms should receive the highest priority in establishing the diagnosis. There is agreement that the serum B12 concentration is useful as a screening marker and methylmalonic acid or homocysteine can support the diagnosis. Patient lifestyle, disease history, and medications can provide clues to the cause of B12 deficiency. Regardless of the cause of the deficiency, initial treatment with parenteral B12 was regarded as the first choice for patients with acute and severe manifestations of B12 deficiency. The use of high-dose oral B12 at different frequencies may be considered for long-term treatment. Prophylactic B12 supplementation should be considered for specific high-risk groups. Conclusions: There is a consensus that clinical symptoms need to receive more attention in establishing the diagnosis of B12 deficiency. B12 laboratory markers can support the diagnosis. The severity of clinical symptoms, the causes of B12 deficiency, and the treatment goals govern decisions regarding the route and dose of B12 therapy.

Health concerns regarding malnutrition among the older populations: considerations from a Slovenian perspective

Diet is an important factor in a healthy lifestyle for all age groups. However, with aging it is important to be aware that the diet, due to changed physiology, needs an accordingly adjusted and balanced daily regime. This article reviews the field of older population's nutrition and presents: the most common nutritional disorders, causes, demographics and malnutrition measurement tools. Relevant scientific literature as well as professional Slovenian papers were identified through specific searches with topic-related keywords in EBSCO, PubMed, Web of Science and COBISS databases. The results of the identified papers are subsequently discussed in a descriptive narrative. The reviewed literature shows noticeable trends of high proportions of malnutrition among older persons, both globally and in Slovenia: predominantly observed are overnutrition like overweight and obese, but as well, and often unnoticed, undernutrition. The latter is more worrying, as inadequate knowledge in health care institutions regarding nutritional screening tools and measures to prevent drastic forms of undernutrition, seem to facilitate these trends. Though there are many reasons for insufficient food intake in older people, the article formulates considerations that can feed appropriate education and awareness programs, and through correct screening point to timely identification of malnourished individuals and those with risk of malnutrition. The promotion and implementation of such considerations could prevent malnutrition among the older population, reduce the frequency of nutritional disorders and co-morbidities, and generally improve the nutritional status of the older population, thus, provide better quality of health later in life.

Anemia and Hematopoietic Factor Deficiencies in Patients after Endoscopic Gastrostomy: A Nine-Year and 472-Patient Study

Introduction and aims: Patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) may present protein-energy malnutrition, anemia and deficiencies of hematopoietic factors, e.g., iron, folate and vitamin B12. There are no comprehensive studies on anemia or other hematological changes in PEG-patients. Our aim was to evaluate the hematological status of dysphagic patients that had undergone PEG and its association with clinical outcome. Methods: This research comprises a retrospective study of patients followed by our Artificial Feeding Team, submitted to PEG from 2010 to 2018. Patients were divided into two etiological groups: neurological dysphagia (ND) and head/neck or esophageal disorders (HNE). Laboratory data included serum albumin, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, ferritin, transferrin, iron, vitamin B12 and folate. Survival after PEG was recorded in months, until death or December 2018. Results: We evaluated 472 patients; 250 (53%) presented anemia at the moment of gastrostomy, mostly normocytic (n = 219), with laboratory data suggestive of anemia of chronic disease (ACD). Six patients (1.3%) presented vitamin B12 deficiency and 57 (12.1%) presented folate deficit. No statistically significant difference in hemoglobin was found between the etiological groups (p = 0.230). Folate and vitamin B12 levels were lower in the HNE group (p < 0.01). A positive correlation between hemoglobin and survival was present (p < 0.01, r = 0.289), and hemoglobin levels were lower in the deceased population (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Anemia is frequent in PEG-patients, mostly with the features of ACD or multifactorial. It is associated with significant decrease in survival and may be viewed as a marker of severe metabolic distress, signaling poor outcome.

Lingual Linear Lesions: A Clinical Sign Strongly Suggestive of Severe Vitamin B12 Deficiency

BACKGROUND

Lingual linear lesions (LLLs) are the oral linear lesions located on the dorsum, lateral borders, and/or ventral surface of tongue. It has been suggested that LLLs might be an early clinical sign of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. Here, a retrospective study was conducted to further investigate and validate the association between LLL and vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.

METHODS

Based on the clinical examination, patients with LLLs were enrolled and analyzed retrospectively. Data regarding clinical and laboratory features were obtained. Follow-up was done at least 6 months following appropriate supplementation therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 57 patients, consisting of 20 males and 37 females with a mean age of 59.12 years (range, 18-80), were enrolled in this study. The hematological examination revealed that 56 (98.25%) of the 57 patients had severe serum vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, and the other 1 patient had a borderline low level of vitamin B₁₂ . All the enrolled patients responded well to cobalamin replacement therapy.

CONCLUSION

LLLs might be a clinical sign strongly suggestive of severe vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.

Long-Term Nutritional Outcomes of Near-Total Gastrectomy in Gastric Cancer Treatment: a Comparison with Total Gastrectomy Using Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Purpose

This study sought to examine whether near total gastrectomy (nTG) confers a long-term nutritional benefit when compared with total gastrectomy (TG) for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Materials and Methods

Patients who underwent nTG or TG for gastric cancer were included (n=570). Using the 1:2 matched propensity score, 25 patients from the nTG group and 50 patients from the TG group were compared retrospectively for oncologic outcomes, including long-term survival and nutritional status.

Results

The length of the proximal resection margin, number of retrieved lymph nodes and tumor nodes, metastasis stage, short-term postoperative outcomes, and long-term survival were not significantly different between the groups. The body mass index values, and serum total protein and hemoglobin levels of the patients decreased significantly until postoperative 6 months, and then recovered slightly over time (P<0.05); however, there was no difference in the levels between the groups. The prognostic nutritional index values and serum albumin levels decreased significantly until postoperative 6 months and then recovered (P<0.05); the levels decreased more in the nTG group than in the TG group (P<0.05). The mean corpuscular volumes and serum transferrin levels increased significantly until postoperative 1 year and then recovered slightly over time (P<0.05); however, there was no difference between the groups. Serum vitamin B₁₂, iron, and ferritin levels of the patients did not change significantly over time, and no difference existed between the groups.

Conclusions

A small remnant stomach after nTG conferred no significant nutritional benefits over TG.

Prevalence of anemia and malnutrition and their association in elderly nursing home residents

PURPOSE

Malnutrition is one of the most important geriatric syndromes in the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between anemia and malnutrition in elderly nursing home residents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Local nursing home residents over 60 years old in the Izmir were included in the study. Blood samples were taken from study participants for hemogram, iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, vitamin B12 and folic acid analysis. WHO criteria were used to define anemia. Causes of anemia were classified as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, anemia of chronic disease or other hematologic causes. Anemia was defined as the dependent variable and malnutrition was defined as the independent variable. Correlation between MNA scores and Hb levels was determined using Pearson correlation analysis. The slope of causality between malnutrition and anemia was determined using the χ (2) test and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The study included 257 elderly nursing home residents with a mean age of 78.5 ± 7.8 years. The overall prevalence of anemia was 54.9 %; 35.8 % of the study participants were at risk of malnutrition and 8.2 % were malnourished. Anemia risk was 2.12-fold higher in participants at risk of malnutrition and 5.05-fold higher in those with malnutrition. In the participants with malnutrition or malnutrition risk, the most common cause of anemia was anemia of chronic disease (57.1 and 46.5 %, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of anemia among elderly nursing home residents is high in Turkey. Malnutrition and malnutrition risk increase the incidence of anemia.