Aim: To evaluate the correlation between Vitamin B12 deficiency and peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients.
Methods: The descriptive study was performed on 100 T2DM patients and divided into three groups, based on drugs used in treatment as group A (Metformin with other drugs), Group B (Metformin only) and Group C (drugs other than Metformin). Detailed demography, drug intake history and biochemical parameters (blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, HbA1c, and vitamin B12) were recorded. Peripheral neuropathy was assessed by nerve conduction velocity study.Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and chi-square test were used to analyse the data and study the correlation.
Results: Pronounced Vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in 29% of patients whereas, 33% of patients had intermediate levels of deficiency. PN was found significantly associated with drugs used and the duration of metformin use (P<0.01). A significant association was noted between PN and vitamin B12 (p<0.05) but, no association was found between vitamin B12 and drug used.
Conclusion: A significant association was noted between PN and vitamin B12. Metformin was found to have a significant association with PN. Vitamin B12 can be a contributing factor in DPN.
