FREQUENCY OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY IN PATIENTS WITH HELICOBACTER PYLORI GASTRITIS

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with Helicobacter pylori gastritis.
Study Design: Descriptive study
Setting: Department of Medicine, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi.
Duration: From October 2007 to March 2008.
Subjects and Methods: One hundred Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) positive patients with endoscopic evidence of gastritis were included. Demographics (age and gender) and levels of vitamin B12 (using Vitros Immunodiagnostic system) were collected in all cases.
Results: Nearly two third (64%) patients were males with mean age of 50.8±13.59 years. Thirteen percent patients had deficiency of vitamin B12, 5% were border line deficient, and 82% had normal levels of vitamin B12.
Conclusion: In H pylori gastritis patients frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency is 13% i.e. about one fifth of patients in present study.