VITAMIN B12 LEVELS IN THE ELDERLY DURING THE PANDEMIC PERIOD

Abstract

Vitamin B12, which plays an important role in many biological processes, has an important effect on various body functions and is an important micronutrient. People meet their vitamin B12 needs from animal products. The aim of this study is to investigate vitamin B12 deficiency, which is a risk factor for dementia and cardiovascular diseases, during the lockdown period applied to the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study includes 39 patients over the age of 65 who applied to our hospital during the lockdown period due to the COVID-19 pandemic and whose vitamin B12 levels were measured. In this study, a vitamin B12 level below 200 pg/ml was accepted as vitamin B12 deficiency, and a folate level below 3 ng/ml was accepted as folate deficiency.

Of patients included in the study, 22 were males and 17 were females. Their ages ranged from 65 to 86 years, with a mean age of 73.9±5.9 years. Vitamin B12 levels of patients ranged from 83 pg/ml to 813 pg/ml, and the mean vitamin B12 level was 295.6±155.3. Vitamin B12 deficiency was detected in a total of 12 (30.76%) patients, 9 (40.9%) men and 3 (17.6%) women. The mean vitamin B12 level was significantly lower in men (p<0.05). Folate deficiency was present in 2 (5.12%) male patients with normal vitamin B12 levels.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the elderly due to some drugs used due to the frequency of chronic diseases and malnutrition. Vitamin B12 deficiency is an important health problem in the elderly during the pandemic period. Avoiding vitamin B12 deficiency, which is a risk factor for dementia and cardiovascular diseases in the elderly, is important as it will prevent possible health problems. Unless there is an absorption disorder in the gastrointestinal tract, oral administration of vitamin B12 as in our series is also effective. Nutrition should also be regulated to keep biochemical parameters and serum vitamin B12 levels at normal concentrations.