Vitamin deficiencies in geriatric memory patients

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionAging is the primary risk factor for dementia, and vitamin deficiencies are common in geriatric patients. Vitamins B12 and folate are commonly checked in memory patients, but other CNS‐significant vitamins such as B6 (pyridoxine), B1 (thiamine), and vitamin D are not. The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence of deficiencies of these vitamins in geriatric memory patients.MethodsAll new patients presenting to a university geriatrics memory clinic were assessed for vitamin B1, B6, B12, and vitamin D (total 25‐OHD) levels on the day of their first visit unless these studies were done in the prior 6 months or their health system required laboratory tests be done only through their primary care provider. Laboratory tests were performed through the university laboratory routine methods. No fasting or other special arrangements were made for the tests. Only test results obtained at the first visit, with neuropsychological evaluation were evaluated. A retrospective review of the medical records from the most recent 12 months provided the data presented here. Deficiency thresholds used for the study were: B1 <70 nmol/L, B6 <30 nmol/L, B12 <300 pg/mL, and D <30 ng/nL.ResultsRecords from 203 patients were reviewed; 189 had at one or more vitamin level obtained at the first visit. Of those patients, 68 (40%) had at least one vitamin deficiency; 35 (19%) had two deficiencies, 7 (3%) had three deficiencies, and 1 patient was deficient in all four. The number of patients that had a particular vitamin level done and the number with a deficiency are shown in the table.DiscussionAlmost half of the geriatric patients were deficient in at least one vitamin. Vitamins B6 and D were the most common deficiencies, yet these are not routinely tested in memory patients. The commonly tested B12 showed a deficiency rate of only 16% compared to 37% and 33% for vitamins B6 and D respectively. Treating these vitamin deficiencies that can affect cognition will enhance function and increase the likelihood of effective medical treatment and successful research studies.