ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the effect of vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in vitiligo patients.

Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study.

Setting: This study was carried out in the Dermatology departmentat Liaquat University of medical and health sciences.(LUMHS), Jamshoro

Duration: Six months starting 6th August 2019 till 5th January 2020

Material and Methods: A total of 155 patients of either gender with age 18 to 50 years and who had Vitiligo for more than one year were included in the study. Fasting (5ml) blood sample was drawn using. After clotting, the sample was centrifuged for 10 minutes at 5000 rpm, and serum was separated and stored immediately at -200C. To check the levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid, we used enzyme immunoassay. Using SPSS version 20, the data was recorded and analyzed. We calculated the mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages for qualitative analysis, and data stratification was done, and a t-test was applied to compare the mean difference of both dietary nutrients (vitamin b12 and folic acid) among stratified groups. P≤0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: Out of 155 patients, 42% were male, and 58% were female with a mean (SD) age of 28.68±10.07 years. The age range showed 41.9% patients falling above 25 years of age and 58% falling in < 254 years of age bracket.The stages of Vitiligo showed that stage-0 was found in 14 patients, stage-1 was found in 28 patients, stage-2 was found in 27 patients, and stage-3 was found in 86 patients. The mean level of serum vitamin B12 and folic acid was 375.56±210.65 pg/dl, with a control range of 1320(110–1435) pg/dl, i.e., it was lower.375.The mean difference in duration of Vitiligo wasstatistically significant,i.e.(p=0.000). A significant difference was found in age groups.

Conclusion: Our results showed decreased levels of serum vitamin B12 and folate;however,more in-depth studies should be done for conclusive statements.

Keywords: Serum Vitamin B12, Folic Acid Level, Vitiligo