STUDY OF VITAMIN B12 LEVELS IN PATIENT WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Aims :-Evaluation of serum Vitamin B12 levels in type 2 diabetic population. Objectives:-1) To define the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in type 2 diabetic population.2) To determine the risk factors associated with Vit B12 deficiency in type 2 diabetes like Age and Metformin use.3) To Assess the co-relation of Serum B12 levels and Diabetic Retinopathy in Type II Diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods:-This case control study was conducted in OPD of Department of General Medicine, Sarvajanik Hospital, Pune between June 2012 to May 2013. A total of 50 type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients and 50 controls between 40 to 60 years were included. Serum Vitamin B12 levels and serum homocysteine levels were measured in all patients. Results:-The Vitamin B12 deficiency was present in 56% of the diabetics and 32% of the non-diabetics. Vitamin B12 deficiency was present in 48.4% of patients who were not on metformin and 68.4% of than those were on metformin. No significant increase in the prevalence of neuropathy, anaemia, or MCV was found in the Vitamin B12 deficient patients as compared to patients with normal Conclusions:- The study has shown that the diabetes was common after the age of 40 years. Male sex, Overweight and Obesity were other risk factors. Majority of the patients in this study had the diabetes more than 5 years and their blood sugar markers were disturbed. This study has shown that the vitamin B12 deficiency was found in more than half of the diabetics, metformin users and those who were on vegetarian diet.