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. 2011 Jan-Feb;57(1):46-9.

Vitamin B12 in metformin-treated diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study in Brazil

Monique Nervo  1 , Adriano Lubini, Fabiana Viegas Raimundo, Gustavo Adolpho Moreira Faulhaber, Carine Leite, Leonardo Moura Fischer, Tania Weber Furlanetto
Affiliations
  • PMID: 21390459
Free article

Vitamin B12 in metformin-treated diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study in Brazil

Monique Nervo et al. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2011 Jan-Feb.
Free article

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of vitamin B12 deficiency and the factors associated with serum vitamin B12 levels in a sample of metformin-treated Brazilian diabetic patients.

Method: Cross-sectional study.

Results: 144 patients were included. Serum vitamin B12 levels were low (< 125 pmol/L) in 10 patients (6.9%) and possibly low (125 - 250 pmol/L) in 53 patients (36.8%). Serum vitamin B12 levels were negatively associated with age (B = -3.17; β= -0.171; p = 0.037) and duration of metformin use (B= -33.36; β= -0.161; p = 0.048), and positively associated with the estimated intake of vitamin B12 (B= 67.96; β= 0.249; p = 0.002).

Conclusion: The present findings suggest a high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in metformin-treated diabetic patients. Older patients, patients in long term treatment with metformin and low vitamin B12 intake are probably more prone to this deficiency.

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