Estimation of Serum Vitamin B12 Levels Among the Elderly Population of Wardha City: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

BackgroundGlobally, low vitamin B12 levels, undernutrition, and folic acid deficiency are more common among the geriatric population. Nevertheless, low vitamin serum levels may reveal a deficiency in the routine following of nutrition recommendations. In this study, we aimed to estimate the serum vitamin B12 levels among the elderly.MethodologyThis study was conducted in Wardha city among 90 elderly people over 60 years of age using a cross-sectional research design. Blood samples were utilized to estimate serum vitamin B12 levels by the macroparticle immunosorbent assay method using Abbott’s IMX system (Abbott Park, IL, USA). The data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 24.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Numbers and percentages were used to represent qualitative characteristics. The mean (±SD) and median of a quantitative variable were used to compare groups using the analysis of variance test.ResultsIn total, 57 (63.33%) of the elderly population had low (<110 pmol/L) vitamin B12 levels, 30 (33.33%) had medium (110-180 pmol/L) vitamin B12 levels, and three (3.34%) had high (>180 pmol/L) vitamin B12 levels. The mean was 168.11 ± 192.47 pmol/L for the estimation of the vitamin B12 level.ConclusionsUntreated vitamin B12 deficiency is common among the elderly of both genders. However, there is no particular risk category for screening that can be recognized. Therefore, it is appropriate to screen the elderly biochemically. General practitioners play a key role in the initial vitamin B12 insufficiency diagnosis.