Lower Levels of Vitamin B12 Among Patients with Viral Warts Compared with Control Subjects: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Aim: Viral wart is a common benign infectious dermatosis. It remains unclear why not everyone exposed to HPV develops warts. It is known that vitamin and mineral deficiencies can affect impair natural and acquired immunity and lead to a tendency to get more infections. This study aimed to determine the potential utility of evaluating vitamin B12, folic acid, and ferritin levels in patients with viral warts. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, 70 patients who were diagnosed with viral warts in the dermatology outpatient clinic of Karabük University Training and Research Hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 were included. 70 healthy individuals matched with viral wart patients in terms of gender and age were included as the control group. Serum vitamin B12, folic acid, and ferritin levels of both groups were detected and compared from the hospital automation system. Results: Vitamin B12 level was detected statistically significantly lower in the viral wart group as compared to the control group (p=0.046). Although serum ferritin levels were found lower in the viral wart group, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.677). No statistically significant difference was detected between the viral wart and control groups in terms of folate levels (p=0.879). Conclusion: In patients with viral warts with low serum vitamin B12 levels, replacement therapy could be considered. Also, the evaluation of serum ferritin level, an iron storage parameter in the body, is important in patients with viral warts infection.