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02-Feb-2012
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Arch Hellen Med, 29(1), January-February 2012, 85-90 ORIGINAL PAPER The association of vitamin B12 levels with gastroscopy findings and H. pylori status E. Korkut,1 H. Kandis,2 S. Korkut,2 D. Baltaci,3 I.H. Kara,3 A. Saritas2 |
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the correlation of Helicobacter pylori status with the blood levels of vitamin B12 in patients undergoing gastroendoscopic investigation.
METHOD Patients who underwent gastroendoscopic investigation of dyspepsia were enrolled in the study. Their blood levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 were measured along with a complete blood count. The gastroendoscopic findings analysed according to the H. pylori status, age group (20−49, 50−64 and >65 years) and sex of the patients.
RESULTS The study included 76 patients, 27 males and 49 females with an average age of 47.3±16.5 years. The mean level of vitamin B12 according to age group was 175±64 pg/mL, 242±181 pg/mL and 187±89 pg/mL for 20−49, 50−64 and >65 years, respectively (p=0.04). Vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in 81.5% of the men (n=22) and 77.6% of the women (n=38). The vitamin B12 level was lower in patients with H. pylori positive status (Hp [+]) than in those with Hp [−] (185±82 pg/mL versus 205±135 pg/mL, p=0.04). The mean folic acid level was 6.3±2.3 ng/mL, 7.1±8.1 ng/mL and 6.7±4.8 ng/mL in the age groups 20−49, 50−64 and >65 years, respectively (p>0.05). A positive correlation was observed between age and vitamin B12 level (r=0.31, p=0.01), and between age and Hp [+] status (r=0.24, p=0.04).
CONCLUSIONS In general, vitamin B12 levels were low in patients with dyspepsia of both sexes. Low vitamin B12 levels observed even in patients with normal endoscopic findings indicated that vitamin B12 deficiency was due to inadequate nutrition.
Key words: Dyspepsia, Elderly, Helicobacter pylorii, Vitamin B12 deficiency.
