Patient acceptance of intranasal cobalamin gel for vitamin B12 replacement therapy.
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.
Suzuki
Diane M
DM
Department of Veterans Affairs, Pacific Islands Health Care System 459 Patterson Rd., (CFA) Honolulu, HI 96819-1522, USA. diane.suzuki@med.va.gov
Alagiakrishnan
Kannayiram
K
Masaki
Kamal H
KH
Okada
Ann
A
Carethers
Michael
M
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*
D005782:Gels; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D014805:Vitamin B 12