RELATION BETWEEN DIABETIC CONTROL AND SERUM VITAMIN B12 LEVELS IN TYPE 2 DM PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY TEACHING CARE HOSPITAL

*Suresh Kanna S. and Sakthivel Selvaraj

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Vitamin B12 deficiency is most commonly associated with autoimmune disorders. However, at present there is increased incidence of B12 deficiency among diabetics particularly in type II diabetes mellitus patients. This may be influenced by the control of the disease based on Fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels and also glycosated Hb levels. If our study demonstrates the presence of low serum B12 levels association with these control parameters then a recommendation for regular screening and supplementation of vitamin B12 could be considered in these uncontrolled diabetic patients. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the serum vitamin B12 levels in in type II diabetes also to evaluate the influence diabetic control on B 12 levels. Materials and Methods: This was a cross- sectional study. 50 diabetic patients were randomly selected based on inclusion/ exclusion criteria from the patients attending diabetic OP in GMKMC, Salem. Serum vitamin B12 level and parameters for diabetic controls were assessed using fully automated methods. All statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21. Results: The study showed that 24% of the diabetics had low B12. There was no significant difference in B12 levels between males and females (mean difference = - 14.3: P > 0.05). The study did demonstrate positive significant correlation between vitamin B12 levels with diabetes control statistically but there was no significant effect of duration of disease. Conclusion: Results of our study shows the presence of low serum B12 levels in diabetics which very much low in poorly controlled diabetic patients. These findings merits further research on a larger population to investigate into the cause of deficiency and the benefit of B12 supplementation in these patients who have uncontrolled DM.

Keywords: Vitamin B12 deficiency, Diabetes mellitus, diabetic control, HbA1c.