Vitamin B-12 treatment has limited effect on health-related quality of life among individuals with elevated plasma methylmalonic acid: a randomized placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the hypothesis that treatment with vitamin B-12 improves health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in individuals with biochemical signs of vitamin B-12 deficiency.


METHODS
A randomized placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
Municipality of Aarhus, Denmark.


METHODS
Nonhospitalized individuals (n = 140) with a modest increase in plasma methylmalonic acid (0.40-2.00 micromol L-1) not previously treated with vitamin B-12.


METHODS
The participants were randomized to vitamin B-12 injection treatment or placebo weekly for 4 weeks and re-examined 3 months later. The investigator and the participants were blinded to the intervention.


METHODS
Change in HRQOL assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire from baseline to follow-up examination 3 months later.


RESULTS
The participants reported a significantly worser HRQOL than the age- and sex-matched Danish general population (P < 0.001). However, no change was observed after treatment with vitamin B-12 for seven of eight health dimensions. A significant improvement was found only in general health when compared with the placebo group (P = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin B-12 treatment influenced only one of eight dimensions of HRQOL amongst participants with biochemical signs of vitamin B-12 deficiency. We therefore question the benefit of vitamin B-12 treatment amongst elderly with a modestly increased plasma methylmalonic acid as the only sign of vitamin B-12 deficiency.
Hvas
A-M
AM
Department of Haematology, AAS, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. am.hvas@dadlnet.dk
Juul
S
S
Nexø
E
E
Ellegaard
J
J
D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*
D008764:Methylmalonic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12