[Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency in the population over 65 years: a descriptive study]

Determining Functional Vitamin B12 Deficiency in the Elderly

BACKGROUND

Elevated concentration of serum total homocysteine usually occurs in vitamin B-12 deficiency. This metabolite can be measured and used for screening functional vitamin B-12 deficiency.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed functional vitamin B12 deficiency in Tehranian elderly admitted to elderly research center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences.

PATIENTS AND MATERIALS

A cross-sectional study was performed on 232 elderly admitted to elderly research center in Tehran, Iran in 2012. According to other studies, individuals were classified into two groups: high risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency (< 220 pmol/L) and borderline vitamin B-12 (220-258 pmol/L) accompanied by elevated homocysteine (> 15 micmol/L).

RESULTS

Cut-off of 15.0 pmol/L for homocysteine was identified for persons with normal or elevated concentrations. Among persons aged 65-74 and ≥ 75 years, respectively, 56% and 93% were at high risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of B12 deficiency was higher in this study compared to other studies, so more attention and massive efficacious policy should be designed to reduce the deficiency of this vitamin.

[Pernicious anemia and autoimmune thyroid diseases in elderly people]

OBJECTIVE

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATD), and pernicious anemia (PA) in particular, are common in elderly people. The relationship between both of these is currently being discussed. The objective of this study is to determine the correlation between ATD and PA in elderly people, and if there are other associated factors affecting this relationship.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The factors studied to analyse this association were social-health variables, autoimmune comorbidity (type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases), the taking of drugs that alter vitamin B12 levels (Metformin and protein bomb inhibitors), and the chronological order in which both diseases appear in this population. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine which of the described variables could have an on both diseases.

RESULTS

The prevalence was 8.2% for ATD and 3.3% for PA, with a progressive increase in the annual incidence in the past 10 years from 7.1 to 12.7 cases per 1,000 persons>65 years for ATI, and from 1.6 to 7.4 cases for PA. PA was found in 18.6% of the patients with ATD, and the 45% of PA presented with ATD, mainly in women (RR=6.0). The average time in diagnosing the second disease was about 8 years. When there was a third autoimmune disease the likelihood of ATD and PA increased fourfold. Patients with ATD and consuming drugs which were affecting the absorption of vitamin B12 had double the probability of developing a PA compared with those who were not taking medications.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study confirm the association between ATI and AP among people 65 or older, also a progressive increase in the incidence of these diseases.

Vitamin B12 deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia as correlates of cardiovascular risk factors in Indian subjects with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Folate and vitamin B12 are essential components in the metabolism of homocysteine (Hcy). Hyperhomocysteinemia has been implicated in endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. However, the association of Hcy, vitamin B12, and folic acid with cardiovascular risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been studied in Indian patients. This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the relationship of vitamin B12, folic acid, and Hcy levels with cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with known CAD.

METHODS AND SUBJECTS

Three hundred patients (216 men; 84 women; aged 25-92 years) who had CAD on angiography were included in this study consecutively. All patients were evaluated for anthropometry and cardiovascular risk factors, and blood samples were collected for biochemical, nutritional, and inflammatory markers.

RESULTS

Percentage of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency was 86.7% and 2.7%, respectively. Hyperhomocysteinemia was present in 95.3% patients. Vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower and Hcy levels were significantly higher in subjects with dyslipidemia, DM, and/or hypertension. Serum vitamin B12 was inversely associated with triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and positively with high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Hcy was positively associated with triglyceride and VLDL and negatively with HDL. Vitamin B12 was inversely correlated with inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6) directly related to insulin resistance whereas Hcy showed the opposite pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum vitamin B12 deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia are related with cardiovascular risk factors in Indian patients with CAD.