Factors related to low serum vitaminB12 levels in elderly patients with non-atrophic gastritis in contrast to patients with normal vitaminB12 levels

AimVitaminB(12) deficiency is frequent in older patients, and the main reason is pernicious anemia. However, vitaminB(12) deficiency can occur in patients who do not have atrophic gastritis. The aim of the present study was to investigate factors affecting serum vitaminB(12) levels in older patients with non-atrophic gastritis. MethodsA total of 1256 out of 1607 patients aged over 60 years who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for various reasons, and who had serum vitaminB(12) value and were diagnosed as having non-atrophic gastritis were analyzed by means of factors affecting low serum vitaminB(12) levels. ResultsNon-atrophic gastritis patients were divided into two groups: patients with normal serum vitaminB(12) (groupI, n=759) and patients with low serum vitaminB(12) (groupII, n=497). The median serum vitaminB(12) was 339pg/mL (range 201-987pg/mL) in groupI and 180pg/mL (range 50-200pg/mL) in groupII. Helicobacter pylori (n=154 vs 325, P<0.001), neutrophil activity (n=176 vs 367, P<0.001), intestinal metaplasia (n=35 vs 14, P<0.001) and inflammation (n=230 vs 386, P<0.001) were present significantly more often in groupII compared with group I. A total of 785 patients were both negative for Helicobacter pylori and atrophy. Of these 785 patients, neutrophil activity (n=56, [32.6%] vs 25, [4.4%], P<0.001) and inflammation (n=69, [40.1%] vs 82, [13.4%], P<0.001) scores were present significantly more often in groupII compared with groupI. ConclusionsHelicobacter pylori was present significantly more often in older patients whose serum vitaminB(12) levels were 200pg/mL, and Helicobacter pylori density was inversely correlated with serum B-12 level. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination should be suggested for elderly patients with serum vitaminB(12) level 200pg/mL. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; ..: ..-...