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

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

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.

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.

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