STUDY ON DIABETIC NEUROPATHY AND VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY IN PATIENTS TAKING METFORMIN

Abstract

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the association between vitamin B12
deficiency and diabetic neuropathy, as well as the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients
receiving long-term metformin therapy.
Materials and methods: It was a cross-sectional study, conducted in the Dept. of Pharmacology in
association with the Dept. of General Medicine in our tertiary care hospital, which included 100
patients, which are using metformin. Chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to determine
vitamin B12 levels. Nerve conduction, the Michigan test, and patient records were used to assess
diabetic neuropathy. Further information was gathered, encompassing demographic traits. The
variables that were correlated with vitamin B12 levels and diabetic neuropath were assessed using a
linear regression model.
Results and Discussion: Of all the patients, 9 % had low vitamin B12 levels. Vitamin B12 levels
were found to be altered (low and borderline) in 66.66 % of patients with diabetic neuropathy and
22.64 % of patients without the condition. Vitamin B12 levels were lower in those taking a higher
dose of metformin. Furthermore, vitamin B12 levels were higher in female patients than in male
patients.Conclusion: Deficiency of vitamin B12 is very common, particularly in those with diabetic
neuropathy. This study discovered an inverse relationship between vitamin B12 plasma levels and
diabetic neuropathy. Reduced vitamin B12 levels were associated with higher metformin dosages
and male sex.