[Subnormal vitamin B6 levels in theophylline users].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of theophylline use on the vitamin B-6 status.


METHODS
Descriptive.


METHODS
Department of Geriatric Medicine of Nijmegen Academic Hospital and Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands.


METHODS
Vitamin B-6 status was determined by measuring pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) in whole blood (using a high performance liquid chromatography method, reference values: 35-107 mumol/l) in 141 patients from the Geriatric department (84 non-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 40 COPD patients without theophylline and 17 COPD patients with theophylline) and in 25 non-geriatric COPD patients on theophylline.


RESULTS
Of the 84 geriatric non-COPD patients (mean age: 82 years; SD: 6) 56% had a subnormal vitamin B-6 status, of the 40 geriatric COPD patients without theophylline (82 years; SD: 6) 70%, of the 17 geriatric COPD patients on theophylline (80 years; SD: 5) 94% and of the 25 non-geriatric COPD patients on theophylline (62 years; SD: 11) 96%.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients who used theophylline a higher prevalence of subnormal vitamin B-6 status was found than in patients who did not.
Martinez de Haas
M G
MG
Afd. Geriatrie, Academisch Ziekenhuis, Nijmegen.
Poels
P J
PJ
de Weert
C J
CJ
Thomas
C M
CM
Rooyackers
J M
JM
Hoefnagels
W H
WH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004336:Drug Antagonism; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013806:Theophylline / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D026681:Vitamin B 6 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*
D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate; D013806:Theophylline