title: Decline of serum cobalamin levels with increasing age among geriatric outpatients.
abstract: The level of serum cobalamin declines with increasing age. Among 100 consecutive geriatric outpatients who were seen in office-based settings for various acute and chronic medical illnesses but not for cobalamin deficiency-related diseases, 11% had serum cobalamin levels from 148 to 295 pmol/L. The average annual serum cobalamin level decline was 18 pmol/L for patients who had higher initial serum cobalamin levels (actual range, from 224 to 292 pmol/L). The average annual serum cobalamin decline was 28 pmol/L, which was much higher, for patients who had lower initial serum cobalamin levels (actual range, from 157 to 221 pmol/L). Patients with initial serum cobalamin levels of 148 pmol/L or below received treatment immediately, and their declines could not be studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice, New York Medical College, Kingston.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lu-Yao
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Mesches
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014805:Vitamin B 12