Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Metformin Treated type 2 Diabetic Patients and Factors Associated with it: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to assess frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency in metformin treated diabetic patients and to evaluate various factors associated with B12 deficiency. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 82 adult patients of type 2 diabetes treated with metformin for at least one year in a tertiary care government hospital. Absolute vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as ≤ 203 pg/ml, values of 203 -298 pg/ml were considered as borderline deficiency and values above >298 pg/ml as normal. Results: The mean age of study population was 60.23 ± 9.20 years. The mean daily dose of metformin was 984.7 ± 185.7 mg. About 41% patients received combination therapy with metformin and glimepiride. Multivitamin supplements were used by 37.8% patients. Absolute vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 7.31% and combined absolute plus borderline deficiency was found 34.1% patients. Age, gender, duration of diabetes, duration of metformin therapy, total daily dose of metformin, HbA1c value, use of sulfonylurea and use of H2 antihistaminics was not significantly associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. Use of multivitamin led to significant decrease in frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency (16.1% vs. 45.1%, p=0.007). Conclusion: Substantial proportion of patients receiving long term metformin show biochemical deficiency of Vitamin B12.Use of multivitamin significantly reduces likelihood of vitamin B12 deficiency.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 82 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Metformin as an adjuvant in breast cancer treatment
- Metformin Lysosomal Targeting: A Novel Aspect to Be Investigated for Metformin Repurposing in Neurodegenerative Diseases?
- Aberrant HSF1 signaling activation underlies metformin amelioration of myocardial infarction in mice
- Metformin induces ZFP36 by mTORC1 inhibition in cervical cancer-derived cell lines
- Protein Interaction Network for Identifying Vascular Response of Metformin (Oral Antidiabetic)
- Preventing Long COVID With Metformin
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.