Vitamin B12 Supplementation May Benefit Patients with Polyneuropathy

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Vitamin B12 Supplementation May Benefit Patients with Polyneuropathy

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: " Vitamin B12 and Methylmalonic Acid Levels in Patients

Presenting with Polyneuropathy, " Nardin RA, Amick ANH, et al, Muscle and

Nerve, 2007; 36(4): 532-535. (Address: RA Nardin, Beth Israel Deaconess

Medical Center, Department of Neurology, 330 Brookline Avenue, E-CC 810,

Boston, MA 02215, USA).

Summary: In a retrospective cohort study involving 581 patients with

polyneuropathy, supplementation with vitamin B12 was found to bring

about significant subjective improvement in symptoms. Of the 581

subjects, 4% were found to have definite vitamin B12 deficiency (defined

as 240 pg/ml or less), and 32% were found to have possible vitamin B12

deficiency (defined as > 240 pg/ml and methylmalonic acid level > 243

nmol/L). Supplementation with vitamin B12 brought about subjective

improvement in symptoms in 87% of subjects with definite deficiency, and

43% of subjects with possible deficiency. The authors conclude,

" Possible vitamin B12 deficiency, defined as an elevated MMA level, is a

common finding in patients with polyneuropathy and treatment of these

patients with vitamin B12 may lead to clinical improvement. "

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