Vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with diabetes at a specialised diabetes clinic, Botswana. Issue 3 (2nd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kwape, L; Ocampo, C; Oyekunle, A; Mwita, JC
• Is Part Of: JEMDSA. Volume 26:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 101
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2021-09-02
• Subjects: Botswana -- diabetes mellitus -- metformin -- vitamin B12 deficiency -- prevalence; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Diabetes -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Periodicals; Endocrine System Diseases; Metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes; Endocrinology; Metabolism; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.4
• DOI: 10.1080/16089677.2021.1927586
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1608-9677

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To estimate the prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency among patients with diabetes. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was undertaken on 351 patients with diabetes at a specialised public diabetes clinic in Gaborone between July 2017 and October 2017. Clinical, anthropometry and laboratory data were collected. Vitamin B12 deficiency was defined by levels < 150 pmol/l. Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 57 (15) years, two-thirds (67.2%) were females, and the majority (92.9%) had Type 2 diabetes. Most (89.5%) participants were on metformin. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was 6.6%. Compared with participants with normal Vitamin B12 levels, deficient participants were significantly older (64 vs. 56 years, p = 0.014) and had a longer duration of metformin use (7 vs. 4 years, p = 0.024). The use of acid blockers was also associated with vitamin B12 deficiency ( p = 0.012). There was no difference in the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy between those with normal and deficient vitamin B12 levels. Conclusion: Vitamin B12 deficiency exists among patients with diabetes in the setting discussed. Regular vitamin B12 assessment may be beneficial, especially among diabetes patients who are old, those taking metformin over a long duration and patients on acid blockers.