Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency: should we use a different cutoff value for hematologic disorders?. (24th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Toprak, B.; Yalcın, H. Z.; Colak, A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of laboratory hematology. Volume 36:Number 4(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 409
• Page End: 414
• Publication Date: 2013-10-24
• Subjects: Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Hematology -- Periodicals; 616.15005
• DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.12158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-5521

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ijlh12158-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="ijlh12158-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Introduction</title> <p>Anemia and macrocytosis are well‐defined expected hematologic findings of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency; however, some previous studies did not show a significant association of subnormal B12 with anemia and macrocytosis.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijlh12158-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We retrospectively analyzed 17 713 laboratory patient records to evaluate vitamin B12 and folate levels in relation to anemia and macrocytosis.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijlh12158-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In an age‐ and sex‐adjusted logistic regression model, low B12 status but not marginal B12 status was significantly associated with anemia [ORs respectively, 1.291 (95% CI, 1.182–1.410), 1.022 (95% CI, 0.943–1.108)] and macrocytosis [ORs, respectively, 3.853 (95% CI, 3.121–4.756), 1.031 (95% CI, 0.770–1.381)]. Also low folate status but not marginal folate status was significantly associated with anemia [adjusted ORs, respectively, 1.819 (95% CI, 1.372–2.411), 1.101 (95% CI, 0.931–1.301)] and macrocytosis [adjusted ORs, respectively, 2.945 (95% CI, 1.747–4.965), 1.228 (95% CI, 0.795–1.898)].</p> </sec> <sec id="ijlh12158-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Our results show that increased anemia and macrocytosis are observed at values below commonly used B12 lower‐reference thresholds. Determining a hematologic cutoff value may help physicians in clinical practice.</p> </sec> </abstract>