title: Subclinical cobalamin deficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review focuses on recent developments and controversies in the diagnosis, consequences, and management of subclinical cobalamin deficiency (SCCD), which affects many elderly persons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diagnosis of SCCD depends exclusively on biochemical tests whose individual limitations suggest that combinations of tests are needed, especially in epidemiologic research. The causes of SCCD are unknown in more than 60% of cases, which limits prognostic predictions and identification of health consequences. After years of varying, often inconclusive associations, new clinical trials suggest that homocysteine reduction by high doses of folic acid, cobalamin, and pyridoxine may reduce progression of structural brain changes and cognitive impairment, especially in predisposed individuals. The causative or contributory roles, if any, of SCCD itself in cognitive dysfunction require direct study. If the findings are confirmed, high-dose supplementation with three vitamins will probably be more effective than fortification of the diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The story of SCCD, which is severalfold times more common in the elderly than clinical cobalamin deficiency but also differs from it in arising only infrequently from severe malabsorption and thus being less likely to progress, continues to evolve. Preventive benefits need to be confirmed and expanded, and will require fuller understanding of SCCD pathophysiology, natural history, and health consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA. rac9001@nyp.org
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carmel
mesh_terms: D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005492:Folic Acid; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12