title: Patient acceptance of intranasal cobalamin gel for vitamin B12 replacement therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine acceptance of and compliance with intranasal cobalamin (vitamin B12) replacement therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Veteran subjects were recruited from VA Outpatient facilities in Hawai'i. Information was obtained by interview and medical record review. Subjects received the standard dose of intranasal cobalamin of 500 micrograms intranasally, once a week. A follow-up questionnaire was administered at one and three months of therapy
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four subjects were enrolled in the study Ages ranged from 29 to 87 years of age, with a mean age of 68.6. Ninety-seven percent were men, 59% were Caucasian, and 35% were Asian/Pacific Islanders. At the end of three months, 30 patients had completed the study. Ninety percent preferred the gel over injection. In the subset of subjects with a history of depression, only 60% preferred intranasal gel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Veteran patients tolerated intranasal cobalamin gel well. The majority of patients preferred intranasal over intramuscular injection of vitamin B12.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs, Pacific Islands Health Care System 459 Patterson Rd., (CFA) Honolulu, HI 96819-1522, USA. diane.suzuki@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Diane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Kannayiram
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alagiakrishnan
authors.forename: Kamal H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Masaki
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carethers
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D006254:Hawaii; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D014805:Vitamin B 12