SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE AND VITAMIN B12 IN METFORMIN TREATED TYPE 2 DIABETIC SUBJECTS

Zain Amar*, Sanober Jamali, Saad Abdul Quddus, Burhan Memon and Hiba Jamali

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetics taking metformin therapy. Study Design: Cross sectional study design. Study setting & Duration: Department of Medicine, Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro/Hyderabad from august 2017 to March 2018. Subjects and Methods: A sample of 100 volunteers; 50 controls (type 2 diabetics) and 50 cases (type 2 diabetics taking metformin), was selected according to selection criteria. Venous blood samples were collected under aseptic conditions. Random blood glucose, glycated Hb A (HbA1c), serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 were detected. Data was analyzed on SPSS ver 22.0 (IBM, Incorporation, USA) at 95% Confidence interval (P ≤ 0.05). Results: Elevated serum homocysteine was noted 48% in cases compared to 6% in controls (P=0.0001). Vitamin B12 deficiency in controls was noted as 38% versus 64% in cases taking metformin therapy (P=0.0001). Serum homocysteine and Vitamin B12 in controls and cases was noted as 6.71±2.82 μM/L and 15.35±11.97 μM/L & 239.54±61.72 pg/dl and 197.40±76.23 pg/dl respectively (P=0.0001). Vitamin B12 shows negative correlation of vitamin B12 with serum homocysteine (r= -0.629, P= 0.0001). Conclusion: The present study reports vitamin B12 deficiency in 64% and elevated homocysteine in 48% type 2 diabetics taking metformin therapy.

Keywords: Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, Metformin, Type 2 Diabetics.