Efficacy of short-term oral cobalamin therapy for the treatment of cobalamin deficiencies related to food-cobalamin malabsorption: a study of 30 patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

It has been suggested that oral cobalamin (vitamin (B12)) therapy may be an effective therapy for treating cobalamin deficiencies related to food-cobalamin malabsorption. However, the duration of this treatment was not determined.

PATIENTS AND METHOD:

In an open-label, nonplacebo study, we studied 30 patients with established cobalamin deficiency related to food-cobalamin malabsorption, who received between 250 and 1000 microg of oral crystalline cyanocobalamin per day for at least 1 month.

ENDPOINTS:

Blood counts, serum cobalamin and homocysteine levels were determined at baseline and during the first month of treatment.

RESULTS:

During the first month of treatment, 87% of the patients normalized their serum cobalamin levels; 100% increased their serum cobalamin levels (mean increase, +167 pg/dl; P < 0.001 compared with baseline); 100% had evidence of medullary regeneration; 100% corrected their initial macrocytosis; and 54% corrected their anemia. All patients had increased hemoglobin levels (mean increase, +0.6 g/dl) and reticulocyte counts (mean increase, +35 x 10(6)/l) and decreased erythrocyte cell volume (mean decrease, 3 fl; all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest that crystalline cyanocobalamin, 250-1000 microg/day, given orally for 1 month, may be an effective treatment for cobalamin deficiencies not related to pernicious anemia.

• Authors: E Andrès, G Kaltenbach, E Noel, M Noblet-Dick, A-E Perrin, T Vogel, J-L Schlienger, M Berthel, J F Blicklé
• Journal: Clinical and laboratory haematology (Clin Lab Haematol) Vol. 25 Issue 3 Pg. 161-6 (Jun 2003) ISSN: 0141-9854 [Print] England
• PMID: 12755792 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hemoglobins
• Homocysteine
• Vitamin B 12

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Blood Cell Count
• Female
• Hemoglobins (analysis)
• Homocysteine (blood)
• Humans
• Malabsorption Syndromes (complications, drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Treatment Outcome
• Vitamin B 12 (administration & dosage, blood, therapeutic use)
• Vitamin B 12 Deficiency (drug therapy, etiology)