Correlation of Vitamin B12 Deficiency with Sensorimotor Deficits in Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-sectional, Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Postmenopausal women often face Vitamin B12 deficiency, a condition crucial for neurological health. Sensorimotor deficits, which affect sensory and motor functions, are common in this demographic and can lead to falls, reduced mobility, and decreased quality of life. This study aims to investigate the correlation between Vitamin B12 deficiency and sensorimotor deficits in postmenopausal women.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted, focusing on postmenopausal women attending the outpatient department. This cross-sectional and observational study investigated sensorimotor deficits in 100 postmenopausal women meeting the inclusion criteria. Exclusions included histories of orthopedic surgeries, paralysis, thalassemia, diabetes, and uncontrolled hypertension. Blood samples were collected to assess Vitamin B12 levels sensorimotor assessments included pain evaluation with an algometer, crude touch, temperature sensation with a tuning fork and warm water, position sense with eyes closed, vibration sense with a tuning fork, discriminative sense tests, coordination assessments, and muscle evaluations for bulk, symmetry, tone, strength (graded by the Medical Research Council scale), and reflexes in both limbs.

Results: Eighteen percent of postmenopausal women were found to have a deficiency in Vitamin B12, while 82% did not have a deficiency. Among patients with Vitamin B12 deficiency, the sensory deficit was present in 52.9% patients and the motor deficit was present in 33.3% patients. The association between them was found to be statistically significant. Among patients with Vitamin B12 deficiency, sensory and motor deficit was present in 32% of patients. The association between them was found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: In this study, we conclude that the association of sensory and motor deficits with Vitamin B12 deficiency was found to be statistically significant. The prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency in postmenopausal women is 18%.

Keywords: Motor; Vitamin B12; postmenopausal women; sensory.

Consort Diagram 1

Flow diagram of how the participants of study were recruited