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KMID : 0978920010020020059
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Korean Journal of Clinical Geriatrics
2001 Volume.2 No. 2 p.59 ~ p.68
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Decreased Serum Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Ievels in the Elderly
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Lee Jong-Hwa
Hahn Jee-Sook
Won Dong-Il
Ko Yun-Woong
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Abstract
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Background: Nutritional deficiency anemias are frequently observed in the elderly patients. Iron deficiency anemia is the most frequent, But folic acid and vitamin B12 deficient conditions make also anemia with many combined diseases.
Methods: We evaluated anemia and associated diseases in 65 elderly patients with decreased serum folic acid and vitamin B12 levels from January 1997 to December 1999 in Youngdong Severance Hospital.
Result: There were 49 cases of decreased serum folic acid. Among them, anemia was found in 37 cases (75.7%) with 21 cases normocytic, 14 cases macrocytic anemic picture though adequate iron storage. Associated diseases in order were gastrointestinal deseases, dementia, cerebral infarct, liver disease, diabetes mellitus, depression, alcoholism and parkinsonism. Serum vitamin B12 levels decreased in 16 cases, among them 15 anemic cases (93.8%) were found with 10 cases macrocytic, 4 cases normocytic anemic picture with adequate iron storage. Associated diseases in order were gastrointestinal diseases, pernicious anemia dementia, parkinsonism and subacute combined degeneration.
Conclusion: In the elderly, there were also many cases that did not develop anemia even though serum folic acid levels were decreased with associated diseases.
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KEYWORD
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Elderly patients, Serum folic acid level, Vitamin B12 level, Anemia
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