EVALUATING SERUM VITAMIN B12 LEVEL AS THE RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia has been reported to be an independent risk factor for the development of stroke. Vitamin B12 is an important element of homocysteine metabolism.

Aims and Objective: To compare the vitamin B12 level among the groups and compare it with the presence of hypertension, diabetes and smoking status.

Materials and Methods: Ninety subjects were studied in the Department of General Medicine at Sri Aurobindo Medical College and PGI, Indore (M. P.) for one and half year from June-2015 to March-2016 after dividing them in to Cases (n=45; patients of ischemic stroke) and Control (n=45; subjects with no documented stroke). After recording general information on smoking/alcohol habit, hypertension and diabetes status, serum vitamin B12 level was assessed in all the subjects.

Results: Vitamin B12 level (184.98±46.41 picomol/L) was greater in Case group as compared to Control group (639.62±157.43?mol/L) (p<0.001). Amongst those who had a stroke but had a habit of smoking/tobacco, had hypertension and diabetes diagnosed with very lowered vitamin B12 level (199.00±0.00 picomol/L, 176.00±31.21 picomol/L and 152.00±11.31 picomol/L) as compared to those without stroke. Tthose who had a stroke but had mixed diet had much lowered vitamin B₁₂ level (188.71±54.63 picomol/L) as compared to control (592.69±143.71 picomol/L).

Conclusion: Patients with stroke had lower level of vitamin B12 mainly in those with had a habit of smoking/tobacco, had hypertension, diabetes and had mixed diet as compared to those without stroke.

Keywords: vitamin B12, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, smoking