Folate and vitamin B₁₂ status and their relation to hematological indices in healthy adults of Iranians: Azar cohort study

Abstract

Background: Folate and vitamin B 12 are essential micronutrients, the deficiency of which can be associated with public health problems worldwide. Aim: The aims of this study were to assess the folate and vitamin B 12 status of healthy adults and the effect of gender differences on their deficiency using serum folate, vitamin B 12 and red blood cell (RBC) folate as biomarkers and their relation to hematological indices. Methods: This study was a part of the Azar cohort study, which is designed as a noncommunicable disease survey in the population of Shabestar, East Azerbaijan, Iran. A total of 95 healthy adults (35 men, 60 women) were chosen according to exclusion criteria and assessed using demographic characteristics and blood sampling. Results: Low concentrations of serum folate, vitamin B 12 and RBC folate were detected in 16.8%, 61.1% and 40% of all subjects, respectively. Prevalence of low serum folate and vitamin B 12 was higher in men than women (25.7% versus 11.7% for serum folate, 77.1% versus 51.7% for serum vitamin B 12).A significant positive correlation was found between hemoglobin and serum folate, vitamin B 12 and RBC folate concentrations (r ¼ 0.279, 0.335, 0.228, respectively). No statistically significant correlation between mean corpuscular volume and serum folate, vitamin B 12 and RBC folate was seen (r ¼-0.049,-0.030,-0.016, respectively). Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of low folate and vitamin B 12 concentrations in our community. Regarding the impact of these two vitamins deficiency on overall health, we suggest further investigations with more participants. In addition, monitoring hematological indices could be useful in people with folate and vitamin B 12 deficiency.

Clinical Appropriateness of Serum Folate ordering pattern in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia

“…We observed that only 2.8% of the tested patients revealed low folate serum levels. Azimi et al (2019) reported a higher prevalence of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency in healthy adults (sample of 95 healthy adults) from Iran reporting low serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 in 16.8% and 6.1% of the patients, respectively. The authors reported that hemoglobin concentration, but not MCV, correlated with folate and vitamin B12.…”

“…Some research studies performed in countries of the middle east showed that the prevalence of folate deficiency has been found to be on higher side ( Azimi et al, 2019 ). It has been suggested that Saudi Arabia shows high prevalence of folate deficiency, however no epidemiological studies have been performed to our knowledge.…”

Vitamin B12 effectiveness in the management of hospitalized COVID‐19 and its clinical outcomes and complications: A randomized clinical trial

“…In general, malnutrition is implicated in the disease progression and is associated with poor outcome. 19 16,20 There is limited data regarding vitamin B12 efficacy in COVID-19 treatment, and its therapeutic role in this disease is a matter of debate. 21 Due to this controversy, and for the development of new treatment protocols for COVID-19 treatment, the present study was conducted.…”

Is Iron Deficiency Anemia still Becoming Community Health Problem in Urban Area?

“…Lower hemoglobin levels that is not accompanied by a decrease in serum ferritin indicates the occurrence of non-iron deficiency anemia. The decrease in hemoglobin may be due to deficiencies of other nutrients besides iron, such as lack of intake of protein which is also a component of iron, deficiency of B12, or folic acid, or there is an inflammatory reaction due to certain infections [12], [13], [14].…”