Abstract

Background: B12 deficiency is extremely common in India. Deficiency has varied manifestations and causes a range of disorders such as anemia, gastrointestinal, and neuropsychiatric manifestation and affects all age groups.Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess the clinical and sociodemographic variables associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency among symptomatic patients and to correlate the symptoms with serum level of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study carried out among 97 patients attending fever outpatient department at civil hospital, Ahmedabad. Patients were interviewed with pretested questionnaire and were subjected for biochemical estimation of Vitamin B12, mean corpuscular volume, and hemoglobin.
Results: Median age of attendees was 25 years (range: 13–64). Three out of eight symptoms were weakness (96.9%), tingling and numbness in hand and feet (60.8%), and fatigue (57.7%). All the patients who were tested on the basis of symptoms were found to be having Vitamin B12 insufficiency (<300 pg/ml). 46.3% were having severe deficiency (<150 pg/ml). Out of severely Vitamin B12 deficient patient, 47.8% were having any type of anemia. Study did not find any significant association (P < 0.05) between gender, diet, water supply, and level of Vitamin B12, whereas there was a significant association between religion and severity of Vitamin B12 deficiency (χ2 = 6.09, P < 0.05).Conclusion: All the patients need to be clinically screened for symptoms of B12 deficiency, and even the mild symptomatic patients should be treated to prevent the severe form of deficiency or neuropsychiatric manifestations. This will also reduce the unnecessary burden on laboratory.