Low B12 and Folate Levels Linked to Crohn's

ANKARA, TurkeySerum Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies are common in Crohns disease (CD) patient, according to new research from Ankara University Medical School, Ibni Sina Hospital Department of Gastroenterology. The study report was published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine (2010 Aug;21(4):320-323).

Scientists investigated 138 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)45 Crohn's disease and 93 ulcerative colitis (UC)and 53 healthy subjects, measuring fasting serum B12 and folate levels, as well as clinical data related to IBDs. They found the number of patients with B12 deficiency was greater in the CD group than in either the UC or control groups. Also, patients with a prior ileocolonic resection had abnormal B12 concentrations, compared to patients without surgery. Similarly, CD patients had slightly lower average folate levels compared to both UC and control patients. In the CD group, ileal involvement was the only independent risk factor for having a low folate level.

The researchers concluded serum vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies are common in patients with CD compared to UC patients and controls, and in CD patients, prior small intestinal surgery is an independent risk factor for having a low serum vitamin B12 level.