Prevalence of vitamin B12 depletion and deficiency in Liechtenstein. Issue 2 (14th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koenig, Victoria; Stanga, Zeno; Zerlauth, Manfred; Bernasconi, Luca; Risch, Martin; Huber, Andreas; Risch, Lorenz
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 17:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 241
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2012-12-14
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S1368980012005289
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1" sec-type="general"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Data about vitamin B<sub>12</sub> (B<sub>12</sub>) deficiency in the general population are scarce. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of B<sub>12</sub> deficiency in the general population of the Principality of Liechtenstein, as well as to identify sub-populations potentially at high risk.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs2" sec-type="general"> <title>Design</title> <p>Retrospective study.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs3" sec-type="general"> <title>Setting</title> <p>Ambulatory setting, population of the Principality of Liechtenstein.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs4" sec-type="subjects"> <title>Subjects</title> <p>Seven thousand four hundred and twenty-four patients seeking medical attention whose serum samples were referred for routine work-up in an ambulatory setting were consecutively enrolled. Serum total B<sub>12</sub> was determined in all patients in this cohort. In addition, for a subgroup of 1328 patients, serum holotranscobalamin was also measured. Prevalence of B<sub>12</sub> deficiency was calculated. Further, multivariate logistical regression models were applied to identify covariates independently associated with B<sub>12</sub> deficiency and depletion.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs5" sec-type="results"> <title>Results</title> <p>Nearly 8 % of the general population was suffering from either B<sub>12</sub> depletion or deficiency. The ratio between B<sub>12</sub> depletion and deficiency was 2:1 for all age ranges. Pathological changes were detected predominantly in older people. Female gender was a significant predictor of B<sub>12</sub> depletion. In the cohort, nearly 40 % exhibited either depletion or deficiency of B<sub>12</sub>.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs6" sec-type="conclusion"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>B<sub>12</sub> depletion and deficiency are common in Liechtenstein, a Central European country. The measurement of biochemical markers represents a cost-efficient and valid assessment of the B<sub>12</sub> state. When a deficiency of B<sub>12</sub> is diagnosed at an early stage, many cases can be treated or prevented, with beneficial effects on individual outcomes and subsequent potential reductions in health-care costs.</p> </sec> </abstract>