Abstract
Objective: This study is conducted to assess the correlation between the level of Vitamin B12 and Multiple Sclerosis type and severity.
Background: Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency is considered an important multiple sclerosis (MS) mimic, this is due to the similarities clinically and pathophysiologically of both diseases, as both attack the myelin sheath of the nervous system. The study aimed to determine the association between vitamin B12 levels and MS type and severity.
Design/Methods: This is a retrospective single center study of patients seen at the specialized MS clinics. Data obtained through the MS database for a total of 350 patients. patients were divided into either relapsing remitting (RRMS) or progressive (PRMS). Vitamin B12 values were obtained at the first visit and a cutoff value of 200 pg/mL or above was considered normal. The severity of MS was evaluated using the Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Fisher exact test was used to identify whether vitamin B12 levels distinguished between MS types. Local regression was used to assess the correlation between vitamin B12 levels and the EDSS.
Results: A total of 100 MS patients had vitamin B12 levels (91 RRMS and 9 PRMS) with a 1:1.5 male to female ratio. B12 levels were below normal in 30 RRMS cases and one SPMS case (p=0.27). Local regression showed an inverse relation between vitamin B12 levels and EDSS at the sub-therapeutic levels, this relation plateaued once the therapeutic levels were reached.
Conclusions: Low vitamin B12 levels were inversely correlated with MS disability measures but failed to distinguish between MS types. The small sample size of PRMS was considered a limitation in our study. Future studies looking at the effects of vitamin B12 on MS severity are needed.
Disclosure: Dr. Hussain has nothing to disclose. Dr. Salih has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ali has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bunyan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Harbi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nassim Ali has nothing to disclose.
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