Algoritmo para el diagnóstico precoz de la deficiencia de vitamina b12 en ancianos

BACKGROUND: The elderly population is particularly at risk for developing vitamin B12-deficiency. Serum cobalamin does not necessarily reflect a normal B12 status. The determination of methylmalonic acid is not available in all laboratories. Issues of sensitivity for holotranscobalamin and the low specificity of total homocysteine limit their utility. The aim of the present study is to establish a diagnostic algorithm by using a combination of these markers in place of a single measurement. METHODS: We compared the diagnostic efficiency of these markers for detection of vitamin B12 deficiency in a population (n = 218) of institutionalized elderly (median age 80 years). Biochemical, haematological and morphological data were used to categorize people with or without vitamin B12 deficiency. RESULTS: In receiver operating curves characteristics for detection on vitamin B12 deficiency using single measurements, serum folate has the greatest area under the curve (0.87) and homocysteine the lowest (0.67). The best specificity was observed for erythrocyte folate and methylmalonic acid (100% for both) but their sensitivity was very low (17% and 53%, respectively). The highest sensitivity was observed for homocysteine (81%) and serum folate (74%). When we combined these markers, starting with serum and erythrocyte folate, followed by holotranscobalamin and ending by methylmalonic acid measurements, the overall sensitivity and specificity of the algorithm were 100% and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The proposed algorithm, which combines erythrocyte folate, serum folate, holotranscobalamin and methylmalonic acid, but eliminate B12 and tHcy measurements, is a useful alternative for vitamin B12 deficiency screening in an elderly institutionalized cohort.

Evolution and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency as a risk factor for (cognitive and functional) neurodegenerative diseases in institutionalized elderly = Evolución y tratamiento de la deficiencia de vitamina B12 como factor de riesgo de enfermedades neurodegenerativas (cognitivas y funcionales) en las personas mayores institucionalizadas.

Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is very common in elderly people and can reach values as high as 40.5% of the population. It can be the result of the interaction among several factors. Vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with neurological, cognitive deterioration, haematological abnormalities and cardiovascular diseases that have an important influence on the health of the elderly and their quality of life. It is necessary to approach the problems arisen from the lack of data relative to them. The main objective of this thesis was to analyse the evolution of vitamin B12 status and related parameters, lipid and haematological profiles and their relationship to health risk factors, and to functional and cognitive status over one year and to determine the effect of an oral supplementation of 500 μg of cyanocobalamin for a short period of 28 days. An additional objective was to analyze the possible effects of medicine intakes on vitamin B status. Three studies were performed: a) a one year longitudinal follow-up with four measure points; b) an intervention study providing an oral liquid supplement of 500 μg of cyanocobalamin for a 28 days period; and c) analysis of the possible effect of medication intake on vitamin B status using the ATC classification of medicines. The participants for these studies were recruited from nursing homes for the elderly in the Region of Madrid. Sixty elders (mean age 84 _ 7y, 19 men and 41 women) were recruited for Study I and 64 elders (mean age 82 _ 7y, 24 men and 40 women) for Study II. For Study III, baseline data from the initially recruited participants of the first two studies were used. An informed consent was obtained from all participants or their mentors. The studies were approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Granada. Blood samples were obtained at each examination date and were analyzed for serum cobalamin, holoTC, serum and RBC folate and total homocysteine according to laboratory standard procedures. The haematological parameters analyzed were haematocrit, haemoglobin and MCV. For the lipid profile TG, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDLcholesterol were analyzed. Anthropometric measures (BMI, skinfolds [triceps and subscapular], waist girth and waist to hip ratio), functional tests (hand grip, arm and leg strength tests, static balance) and MMSE were obtained or administered by trained personal. The vitamin B12 supplement of Study II was administered with breakfast and the medication intake was taken from the residents’ anamnesis. Data were analyzed by parametric and non-parametric statistics depending on the obtained data. Comparisons were done using the appropriate ANOVAs or non-parametric tests. Pearsons’ partial correlations with the variable “time” as control were used to define the association of the analyzed parameters. XIII The results showed that: A) Over one year, in relationship to vitamin B status, serum cobalamin decreased, serum folate and mean corpuscular volumen increased significantly and total homocysteine concentrations were stable. Regarding blood lipid profile, triglycerides increased and HDL-cholesterol decreased significantly. Regarding selected anthropometric measurements, waist circumference increased significantly. No significant changes were observed for the rest of parameters. B) Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was high in the elderly studied, ranging from 60% to 90 % over the year depending on the cut-off used for the classification. LDL-cholesterol values were high, especially among women, and showed a tendency to increase over the year. Results of the balance test showed a deficiency and a tendency to decrease; this indicates that the population studied is at high risk for falls. Lower extremity muscular function was deficient and showed a tendency to decrease. A highly significant relationship was observed between the skinfold of the triceps and blood lipid profile. C) Low cobalamin concentrations correlated significantly with low MMSE scores in the elderly studied. No correlations were observed between vitamin B12 status and functional parameters. D) Regarding vitamin B12 status, holo-transcobalamin seems to be more sensitive for diagnosis; 5-10% of the elderly had a deficiency using serum cobalamin as a criterion, and 45-52% had a deficiency when using serum holotranscobalamin as a criterion. E) 500 μg of cyanocobalamin administered orally during 28 days significantly improved vitamin B12 status and significantly decreased total homocysteine concentrations in institutionalized elderly. No effect of the intervention was observed on functional and cognitive parameters. F) The relative change (%) of improvement of vitamin B12 status was higher when using serum holo-transcobalamin as a criterion than serum cobalamin. G) Antiaenemic drug intake normalized cobalamin, urologic drugs and corticosteroids serum folate, and psychoanaleptics holo-transcobalamin levels. Drugs treating pulmonary obstruction increased total homocysteine concentration significantly. H) The daily mean drug intake was 5.1. Fiftynine percent of the elderly took medication belonging to 5 or more different ATC groups. The most prevalent were psycholeptic (53%), antiacid (53%) and antithrombotic (47%) drugs.

Deficiencia de vitamina A e fatores associados em criancas de areas urbanas

OBJETIVO: Analisar a prevalência da deficiência de vitamina A em crianças e os fatores associados. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal de base populacional realizado com 1.211 crianças de seis a 59 meses de idade, de ambos os sexos, procedentes da área urbana de nove cidades do estado da Paraíba, Brasil. O estado nutricional de vitamina A foi avaliado pelas concentrações séricas de retinol e presença de infecção subclínica avaliada pelas concentrações de proteína C-reativa. Foram investigadas as condições socioeconômicas, demográficas, de saneamento, além da suplementação prévia com vitamina A. Foram consideradas com deficiência de vitamina A as crianças com concentrações de retinol sérico < 0,70 µmol/L. Níveis séricos de vitamina A < 0,70 µmol/L com prevalência ≥ 20% foram considerados como grave problema de saúde pública. Análises uni e multivaridas foram conduzidas para testar associações estatísticas (p < 0,05). RESULTADOS: A prevalência de deficiência de vitamina A foi de 21,8% (IC95% 19,6;24,2), mostrando associação com a presença de infecção subclínica e ausência de água no domicílio. A prevalência de deficiência de vitamina A foi de 21,8% (IC95% 19,6;24,2). Após ajuste para confundimento, a deficiência de vitamina A mostrou-se associada com a presença de infecção subclínica e com a ausência de água no domicílio. A ocorrência da deficiência de vitamina A foi quatro vezes maior (IC95% 1,49;10,16) em crianças com infecção subclínica e sem água no domicilio, comparativamente às crianças sem infecção e com água no domicílio. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar das ações de prevenção e controle da deficiência de vitamina A, a hipovitaminose A ainda configura-se como um problema de saúde pública preocupante entre as crianças menores de cinco anos.

Estudos sobrea determinação da vitamina B¹ (aneurina, tiamina) na herva mate

The infusion used as a beverage and known as tea of Paraguay or male (Ilex paraguarensis, St. Hil.) contains vitamin B (aneurin). 2) Aneurin determinations were made on the infusion commonly used (water extract) and on the complete water and alcohol extracts. The presence of aneurin was detected in both extracts. For quantitative study aneurin was adsorbed from the extracts (pH 3.8-4.0) by means of fuller's earth and kaolin. 3) Animal tests with pigeons and mice (curative, preventive and maintenance of body weight) give positive but inconstant results. No exact quantitative values could be obtained with the animal test. 4) Schopfer-Jung test based on the development of the mould « Phycomyces blakesleeanus, Bgf » showed constant results. Regular growth curves were obtained with the adsorbate of kaolin and fuller's earth. 5) The thiochrome fluorescence test introduced by Jansen was applied to the detection of aneurin in the adsorbate and good results were found which check closely with those encountered by the Schopfer-Jung test. 6) The determinations of aneurin by means of the Phycomyces and thiochrome tests gave values varying from 60 to 280 y per 100 gr. 7) Green leaves are more rich in aneurin than dry ones.

Factores Asociados a Deficiencia de Vitamina D y a Niveles Elevados de PTH en Pacientes con Infección VIH Atendidos en Barcelona

Estudi transversal de pacients VIH en els que es va determinar colecalciferol (25-OH- Vit.D3) i PTH, excloint a pacients amb insuficiència renal, hepàtica i nivells plasmàtics anormals de calci i/o fósfor Es van incloure 566 pacients, amb una exposició a tenofovir del 56,4%. La prevalència de vitamina D insuficient va der del 71,2% i la deficiència del 39,6% . La PTH es va determinar en 228 casos, presentant nivells elevats 86 d’ells (37,7%). Els factors de risc ajustats de deficiència de vitamina D van ser, ésser de raza no blanca i la morbilitat psiquiàtrica, essent la lipoatròfia, un factor protector. Els factors de risc independents de nivells elevats de PTH van ser: Vitamina D&12 ng/ml: OR: 2,14 (IC95%: 1,19-3,82, p: 0,01) i l’ exposició a tenofovir: OR: 3,55 (IC95%: 1,62-7,7, p: 0,002).

Vitaminas B y homocisteína en la insuficiencia renal crónica

Metabolic, biochemical, and hormonal changes occur in chronic renal failure usually associated with hyponutrition states. In predialysis patients, knowing the nutritional state about water-soluble vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, cianocobalamine, and folic acid is becoming more and more important since some of the manifestations of chronic renal failure may be due to the deficiency of some of these water-soluble vitamins. The metabolic pathways in which most of these vitamins participate are interrelated and it is difficult to understand how the individual deficits of each vitamin affect renal pathology. This work aims at reviewing not only this issue but also the status of these water-soluble vitamins that different authors have found in groups of predialysis patients. On the other hand, the issue on the high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in chronic renal failure as the main mortality risk factor due to cardiovascular pathologies as well as the implication of these vitamins in the metabolism of homocysteine, and consequently in plasma levels of this metabolite in predialysis patients is reviewed.

Protocolo de tratamiento de la deficiencia de vitamina D.

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent worldwide and in our country estimated un 60% in the adult population and closer to 80% in the elderly population and the fractured hip.

Metabolismo da homocisteína e defeitos do tubo neural : um estudo bioquímico e molecular no sul do Brasil

Os defeitos de fechamento de tubo neural constituem uma das malformações mais freqüentes na espécie humana, apresentando alta morbi-mortalidade. Sua etiologia é considerada multifatorial, estando envolvidos fatores genéticos e ambientais. Estes fatores estão relacionados principalmente com o metabolismo da homocisteína. Realizamos um estudo de caso-controle com o objetivo de estudar os fatores bioquímicos e genéticos relacionados ao DTN na nossa população. Em pares de afetados com DTN e suas mães e pares de pacientes normais e suas mães foram avaliados dosagem de folato, vitamina B12, homocisteína e polimorfismos da enzima metileno tetraidrofolato redutase (MTHFR), C677T e A1298C. A dosagem de folato nos casos foi 11,37 ng/mL(±6,72) e nos controles 5,64 ng/mL(±4,16) (p<0,001). O folato sérico das mães foi 7,27 ng/mL (±4,48) e 3,90 ng/mL (±1,77) nas mães controles (p<0,001). A média de dosagem de vitamina B12 foi de 641,88 pg/mL ((±262,21) nos casos e 743,27 pg/mL (±433,52) nos controles (p= 0,205). A média de dosagem de vitamina B12 nas mães dos casos foi 354,75 pg/mL (±142,06) e 465,25 pg/mL (±194,91) nas mães controles (p=0,004). O nível de homocisteína plasmático médio foi 6,89 μmol/L(±4,48) para os casos e 5,41 μmol/L (±2,55) para os controles (p=0,099). Nas mães dos casos a dosagem média de homocisteína foi 7,23 μmol/L (±2,64) e 7,00 μmol/L (±2,24) nas mães controles (p=0,666). Não houve diferença entre a freqüência dos genótipos C677T e A1298C da MTHFR nos casos e controles e suas mães. Para o polimorfismo C677T as freqüências dos alelo C e T foram respectivamente 0,6585 e 0,3414 nos pacientes com DTN; 0,6590 e 0,3410 nos controles; 0,6460 e 0,3540 nas mães dos casos e 0,6136 e 0,3860 nas mães controles. Para o polimorfismo A1298C as freqüências dos alelos A e C foram respectivamente 0,7436 e 0,2564 nos pacientes com DTN; 0,7610 e 0,2390 nos controles; 0,8055 e 0,1945 nas mães dos casos e 0,8065 e 0,1935 nas mães controles. Identificamos que indivíduos homozigotos 677TT apresentam um maior nível de homocisteína e este é inversamente relacionado com os níveis de vitamina B12. Estes achados sugerem que uma alteração metabólica relacionada ao metabolismo da homocisteína e principalmente devido à diminuição da vitamina B12 seja um fator de risco para DTN na nossa população.

Bone turnover markers in HIV-infected patients before starting antiretroviral therapy.

Purpose: Bone turnover markers (BTM) - aminoterminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (P1NP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (b-CTX) - are related to bone density and fracture risk. A high prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis and hypovitaminosis D has been reported in HIV patients, however there are few data about BTM in this population. Our aim was to analyse the prevalence of elevated serum levels of BTM in HIV patients before starting antiretroviral therapy (ART), and related factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study of a series of HIV-patients who started ART during June/11-June/12 in our hospital. Patients with presence of diseases or treatments known to affect bone metabolism were excluded. Epidemiological, clinical, and immunovirological data in addition to serum fasting levels of glucose, lipid profile, calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD), parathyroid hormone (PTH), P1NP, and β-CTX were collected. Definitions: hypovitaminosis D if 25OHD<30 ng/ml, vitamin D deficiency if 25OHD<20 ng/ml; elevated levels of BTM if β-CTX (ng/ml) >0.64 (men<70 years),>0.85 (men>70 years),>0.58 (pre-menopause women), >0.99 (post-menopause women), or P1NP (ng/mL)>69.4 (men<60 years), >71.1 (men>60 years), >55.7 (pre-menopause women), >61.2 (post-menopause women). Results: 47 patients were included, 91.5% men, median age 37.1 years (30.0-44.3), and 93.6% sexual transmission of HIV (34 HMX, 10 HTX). Median time since the diagnosis of HIV was 3.4 months (1.4- 31.7); there were 7 (14.9%) Aids cases, median CD4 count was 277/ mm3 (155-433), and HIV-VL 4.8 log10 (4.1-5.2). Median serum 25OHD was 29 mg/L (21.9-41.1), with a prevalence of hypovitaminosis of 52.2%, and deficiency of 17.4%. PTH was in range in all cases. Median serum P1NP was 33.3 ng/mL (24.5-52.5) and β-CTX 0.25 ng/mL (0.20-0.45); five (11.4%) patients presented high levels of BTM: 4 men, median age 37.1 years, median CD4 count 247/mm3, median HIV-VL 5.18 log10, and one with hypovitaminosis D. Elevated BTM were related with no clinical, analytical, immunovirological parameters nor with serum levels of 25OHD nor PTH. Conclusions: The prevalence of elevated BTM was high in this series of HIV-patients, mostly young men, with short time of HIV infection and with no immunovirologic control. BTM were related with no clinical nor analytical data.

Efeitos da intervenção nutricional pós-operatória com vitaminas do complexo B sobre os indicadores metabólicos da via sulfurada e a sobrevida de pacientes com câncer de esôfago

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

Efecto de la suplementación con vitamina D en monodosis en niños con parálisis cerebral. Estudio preliminar controlado y aleatorizado

Los niños con parálisis cerebral (PC) tienen mayor riesgo de deficiencia de vitamina D (VD). Aunque existen bastantes estudios sobre VD en PC, hay limitada información sobre suplementación con VD en estos pacientes. El objetivo de este artículo es evaluar el efecto de la suplementación con VD en monodosis en las concentraciones plasmáticas de 25-hidroxi-vitamina-D (25OHD) en niños con PC.

Estacionalidad de la vitamina D plasmática: su importancia en la clínica y en la salud

Un nivel adecuado de vitamina D (VD) es importante no solo para el hueso y el metabolismo fosfocálcico, sino también para la inmunomodulación, la regulación genética, la producción hormonal y la salud a lo largo del ciclo vital. Numerosos estudios observacionales han demostrado una variación estacional en los niveles plasmáticos de la VD, habitualmente con un máximo en torno al verano y un mínimo en torno al invierno. La latitud geográfica juega un papel considerable en la influencia de los rayos ultravioleta del espectro solar. Estudios hechos en Uruguay en la década del 2000 confirmaron la estacionalidad de la VD plasmática y se enfocaron en los vínculos con el metabolismo fosfocálcico y la osteoporosis, generando un marco terapéutico e inclusive preventivo para esta patología. Además de los efectos sobre la calcemia y fosfatemia, el déficit de esta vitamina está involucrado en el origen o desarrollo de patologías crónicas de actual relevancia, tales como algunos tipos de cáncer, enfermedades autoinmunes, cardiovasculares y degenerativas, así como también en la mortalidad global. Desde una perspectiva clínica y de salud pública, es importante comprender la influencia de la estacionalidad en el nivel plasmático de VD a fin de evaluar e interpretar adecuadamente las mediciones individuales y la suplementación destinada a combatir la deficiencia de la vitamina, todo lo cual hace necesaria una actualización del conocimiento.

Prevalencia del déficit de vitamina D en una población de embarazadas que se asisten en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell

Introducción: la falta de vitamina D (Vit D) en las embarazadas puede perjudicar la salud de la madre y del niño si no es diagnosticada y tratada adecuadamente. Su déficit está relacionado con diversas complicaciones obstétricas, como la preeclampsia y la diabetes gestacional y del recién nacido, bajo peso al nacer e hipocalcemia; pobre crecimiento posnatal, fragilidad ósea y aumento de la incidencia de enfermedades autoinmunes. Múltiples estudios muestran que la falta de Vit D ocurre con una extraordinaria frecuencia que oscila entre 18% y 84% dependiendo de la población estudiada, sin embargo no tenemos datos nacionales. Objetivo: conocer la prevalencia de deficiencia e insuficiencia de Vit D en una población de mujeres embarazadas de un hospital público de Montevideo, el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell. Material y método: se realizaron cuestionarios especialmente confeccionados y extracciones de sangre en embarazadas del tercer trimestre para creatininemia, calcio total en sangre, albuminemia, PTH intacta y 25 (OH) Vit D, previa firma de consentimiento informado. Se consideró como deficiencia severa una concentración de Vit D < 10 ng/ml; deficiencia 10-20 ng/ml; insuficiente 20-30 ng/ml, y suficiente > 30 ng/ml. Resultados: de 71 muestras analizadas, 3 (4,3%) tuvieron niveles de suficiencia, 18 tuvieron insuficiencia (25,7%), 30 deficiencia (42,9%) y 19 severa deficiencia (27,1%). Conclusiones: tal como ocurre a nivel internacional el déficit de Vit D en la población estudiada se presenta con una frecuencia extraordinaria. Se requiere la pronta atención de este problema para evitar complicaciones en la embarazada y en el recién nacido.

Vitamina D y dolor crónico

La vitamina D, una vitamina liposoluble que se encuentra en algunas fuentes de alimentos naturales, se sintetiza en la piel humana después de la exposición al sol. La insuficiencia y la deficiencia de vitamina D son muy frecuentes en el mundo, lo cual se cree que contribuye a una gran variedad de problemas de salud. La vitamina D durante mucho tiempo ha sido utilizada en combinación con el calcio para mejorar la salud ósea y reducir el riesgo de fracturas. Los suplementos de vitamina D se han relacionado con la prevención de la hipertensión arterial, cáncer y otras enfermedades. Investigaciones recientes también apuntan a una posible asociación entre la deficiencia de vitamina D y el dolor crónico.