[Vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly and its associations with geriatric syndromes].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency of geriatric syndromes (GS) and their relationship with vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly patients.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study included 222 people aged 60 years and older, 78.8% were women admitted to the geriatric ward as planned. All patients underwent general clinical studies, comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGO) and assessment of vitamin B12 concentration in the blood.

RESULTS

21.2% of patients were diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficient patients performed worse on a number of tests included in the CGO: the chair test (p<0.001), walking speed (p<0.001), TUG (p=0.038), tandem tests (p=0.039), clock drawing test (p=0.043). The results of the MMSE, anxiety questionnaire, FRAX were also worse in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. At the same time, the presence of vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with an increase in the risk of such GS as frailty, cognitive disorders, falls, fear of falls, high risk of fractures, polypharmacy, neuropathic pain, anxiety. Vitamin B12 - deficient patients were significantly more likely to take metformin, and the proton pump inhibitor group tended to take metformin more frequently.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with a large number of GS.