Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency and its association with metformin-treated type 2 diabetic patients: A cross sectional study
Shaimaa B. Almatrafi, El-Sayed H. Bakr, Asem A. Almatrafi, Manal M. Altayeb
Abstract
Metformin is the most-used drug in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management, but it may lower B12 status as a use consequence. However, few studies in Saudi Arabia have assessed this risk. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in metformin-treated type 2 diabetic patients and its association with drug duration and dose with relation to B12 dietary intake. A cross sectional study was conducted with 206 patients with type 2 diabetic patients using metformin for 6 months or more and attending the diabetic clinics at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital in Holy Makkah. Serum B12 levels were estimated, and biochemical B12 deficiency was defined as serum levels <243 nmol/L. Demographic, medical history, dietary assessment for B12 intake, and data on metformin use were collected using an online survey. Statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used for statistical analysis. Vitamin B12 deficiency occurred in 17.5% of the patients using metformin. Significant differences existed according to diabetes duration (p = 0.002) between patients showing deficiencies and normal ranges of vitamin B12. No significant differences were found according to metformin dose, duration, and vitamin B12 intake. The prevalence of B12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetic patients using metformin was 17.5%. The risk of this relationship might increase with longer metformin use and is influenced by the occurrence and duration of diabetes.