Cardiology & Vascular Research
Open AccessClinical Aspects of B12 and Folate Insufficiency in Anemic Patients: A Report from War Hot Zone of Sudan
Authors: Jowaireia Gaber Al-Basheer Al-Hassan, ShamesEldeen Amara Amer, Ekhlas Alrasheid Abuelfadol, Hashim Ahmed Abdalla Abukhair, Yousif Abduelmaged Mohamed Naimallah, Mohammed Adam Safieldeen Osman, Ahmed Abdulla Agabeldour, Hussain Gadelkarim Ahmed.
Abstract
Background: The continuous conflict in Sudan greatly impacts the population's diet and elevates the risk of important vitamin deficiencies. This study sought to evaluate clinical variables linked to vitamin B12 and folate deficiency in the hot zone of the armed conflict.
Methodology: This study is a descriptive prospective analysis carried out at El-Obeid Teaching Hospital in El-Obeid, North Kordofan State, Sudan. Two hundred participants were selected for this study, comprising 100 individuals exhibiting clinical symptoms of macrocytic anemia (cases) and 100 healthy volunteers (controls).
Results: The 200 participants were aged 21 to 95 years, with a mean age of 52±16 and standard deviation. Most study participants were 60–69 years old, followed by 45–59 and 35–44 years old (22%, 21%, and 20%, respectively). About 66% of participants were females, and 34% were males. B12 deficiency affected 84% of individuals. Folate deficiency affected 13.6% of patients. 73% of cases ate mixed food, 27% were vegetarian, and all control groups ate mixed food. The most common symptoms were foot numbness (86%), dizziness (70%), epigastric discomfort (55%), and recurrent diarrhea (43%).
Conclusion: This study indicates that B12 insufficiency is more common than folate. The B12 deficiency level in Sudan is higher than the global level. Vitamin supplementation is necessary for people under prolonged armed conflict.
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