High frequency of low serum levels of vitamin B [12] among patients attending Jordan University Hospital

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the status of serum vitamin B 12 level in patients attending Jordan University Hospital in Amman, and to examine the relationship with demographic data, chronic illness, dietary habits, haematological parameters and symptoms related to vitamin B 12 levels. A total of 838 patients completed a questionnaire and gave blood samples; 44.6% were vitamin B 12 deficient (< 180 pg/mL) and 34.2% had hypovitaminosis (180-300 pg/mL). Vitamin B 12 deficiency was associated with memory impairment, low meat intake and strict vegetarian (vegan) diets. The high frequency of low vitamin B 12 warrants the development of a strategy to correct this problem in Jordan. Fréquence élevée de faibles taux de vitamine B 12 sériques chez les patients de l'hôpital universitaire de Jordanie RÉSUMÉ Cette étude visait à estimer les taux de vitamine B12 sériques chez les patients de l'hôpital universitaire de Jordanie à Amman, et à examiner la relation avec les données démographiques, les maladies chroniques, les habitudes alimentaires, les paramètres hématologiques et les symptômes liés à ces taux. Au total, 838 patients ont rempli un questionnaire et ont été soumis à une prise de sang ; 44,6 % présentaient une déficience en vitamine B12 (< 180 pg/mL) et 34,2 % une hypovitaminose (180-300 pg/mL). La déficience en vitamine B12 était associée à des troubles de la mémoire, de faibles apports carnés et un régime végétarien strict (végétalien). La fréquence élevée de faibles taux de vitamine B12 justifie l'élaboration d'une stratégie visant à corriger ce problème en Jordanie.

The prevalence of cobalamin deficiency among vegetarians assessed by serum vitamin B12: a review of literature

“…Thus, 40 studies remained and were included in the review. The samples included in these studies consisted of a wide range of individuals at different life stages, including infants, 47 children and adolescents, 12,14,22,25,31 pregnant women, 27 adults [8][9][10]12,13,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]26,[28][29][30][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][41][42][43][44][45][46] and the elderly. 11,12,40 Most studies included both sexes, but 10 studies assessed vitamin B12 status in female subjects only 8,17,21,24,25,27,33,40,…”

“…11,12,40 Most studies included both sexes, but 10 studies assessed vitamin B12 status in female subjects only 8,17,21,24,25,27,33,40,41,45 and three included male subjects only. 9,18,42 Individuals in these studies were from several countries, including New Zealand, 8,25,39 Jordan, 16 Israel, 12,19 Italy, 32 United States, 10,30,37,[43][44][45][46] India, 18,34 Canada, 15 United Kingdom, 9 Germany, [26][27][28][29]35 Netherlands, 11,29,47 Austrailia, 38 Taiwan, 33 Korea, 21 Chad, 42 Turkey, 24 Slovak Republic, 17,36,…”

“…Table 1 summarizes specific diet characteristics of the studies. Vegetarian categories consisted of semivegetarians (including 'low meat eaters' and 'plant-based diet'), 17,24,35,42 vegetarians, 8,9,19,23,30,34,39 'non-meat eaters', 25 lacto-vegetarians, 11,13,15,18,21,22,24,29,30,35,36 lactoovo-vegetarians, 11,[13][14][15]22,24,27,29,30,32,33,35,36,38,40,41 ovo-vegetarians, 13,22 vegans, 8,12,15,16,20,22,23,26,[28][29]<...>…”

Dual pathology as a result of spinal stenosis and vitamin B12 deficiency

“…Cross-sectional studies identify the prevalence of vitamin B12 to be from 12% [11] to as high as 44% [12] in patients greater than 65 years of age, with the prevalence predominantly affecting the male sex and increasing with age [11]. This parallels that of spinal stenosis which also tends to affect the elderly population and similarly that of imaging findings which convey increasing frequency of degenerative features with advancing age [1,2].…”

Rare Association Between Pernicious Anemia and Neurogenic Bladder – A Case Report and Literature Review

“…1 All physicians should keep this disease in mind, because it is universaland can cause irreversible neurologic damage, anemia, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Pernicious anemia is the most common cause of vitamin B 12 deficiency, and it is also called Biermer disease, an autoimmune disease characterized by destruction of gastric mucosa and by the presence of auto-antibodies, anti-intrinsic factor and anti-gastric parietal cell 1,, . [11][12][13] Patients with neurogenic bladder are at increased risk for numerous complications, such as hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux, renal failure, urinary tract infections, renal stones, bladder cancer, sexual dysfunction and uretral deformities.…”