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Neurological manifestations of B(12) deficiency with emphasis on its aetiology
Insights
Pernicious anaemia (PA) is a significant cause of Vitamin B12 deficiency and neurological issues in Indian adults over 40. Autoimmune markers like anti-parietal cell antibodies (APCAB) and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies (AIFAB) are common in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pernicious anaemia (PA) is traditionally considered more prevalent in Western populations.
- This study investigates the role of PA as a cause of Vitamin B12 deficiency in Indian patients with neurological disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify etiological factors for Vitamin B12 deficiency in patients presenting with subacute combined degeneration (SACD) and other neurological symptoms.
- To assess the prevalence and significance of PA in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 50 patients clinically suspected of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Comprehensive clinical, hematological, biochemical, and radiological investigations were performed.
Main Results:
- The study population comprised predominantly males (41/50) over 40 years of age.
- No correlation was found between socio-economic/dietary status and clinical presentation.
- Anti-intrinsic factor antibodies (AIFAB) were positive in 38% and anti-parietal cell antibodies (APCAB) in 56% of patients.
Conclusions:
- Pernicious anaemia is a key cause of neurological manifestations, including SACD, in Vitamin B12 deficient individuals over 40 in India.
- The presence of AIFAB or APCAB supports the diagnosis of PA in this population, regardless of socio-economic or dietary factors.
Background:
It is believed that Pernicious anaemia (PA) is more common in the West. We postulate however that in India PA is probably an important aetiological factor as a cause of Vitamin B12 deficiency in patients having neurological disease.
Objective:
To investigate the aetiological factors resulting in Vitamin B12 (Vit B12) deficiency in patients with subacute combined degeneration (SACD) and other neurological manifestations.
Methods:
We undertook a prospective study of 50 patients, all clinically suspected to have Vit B12 deficiency; they were investigated clinically, haematologically, biochemically and radiologically.
Results:
There was a dominance of males (41 of 50) with the majority in the age group of more than 40 years of age. There was no correlation between the socio-economic and dietary status on the one hand and the clinical manifestation on the other. Anti intrinsic factor antibodies (AIFAB) were positive in 19 of 50 patients (38%) and anti parietal cell antibodies (APCAB) were positive in 28 of 50 (56%) patients.
Conclusion:
We conclude that Pernicious anaemia is an important cause of various neurological manifestations including SACD in the Vitamin B12 deficient population in the age group of more than 40 years, irrespective of the socio-economic and dietary status in the Indian subcontinent. It is supported by the presence of AIFAB or APCAB in this group.
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