title: Prevalence of vitamin B(12) depletion and deficiency in Liechtenstein.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Data about vitamin B(12) (B(12)) deficiency in the general population are scarce. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of B(12) deficiency in the general population of the Principality of Liechtenstein, as well as to identify sub-populations potentially at high risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ambulatory setting, population of the Principality of Liechtenstein.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven thousand four hundred and twenty-four patients seeking medical attention whose serum samples were referred for routine work-up in an ambulatory setting were consecutively enrolled. Serum total B(12) was determined in all patients in this cohort. In addition, for a subgroup of 1328 patients, serum holotranscobalamin was also measured. Prevalence of B(12) deficiency was calculated. Further, multivariate logistical regression models were applied to identify covariates independently associated with B(12) deficiency and depletion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly 8% of the general population was suffering from either B(12) depletion or deficiency. The ratio between B(12) depletion and deficiency was 2:1 for all age ranges. Pathological changes were detected predominantly in older people. Female gender was a significant predictor of B(12) depletion. In the cohort, nearly 40% exhibited either depletion or deficiency of B(12).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  B(12) depletion and deficiency are common in Liechtenstein, a Central European country. The measurement of biochemical markers represents a cost-efficient and valid assessment of the B(12) state. When a deficiency of B(12) is diagnosed at an early stage, many cases can be treated or prevented, with beneficial effects on individual outcomes and subsequent potential reductions in health-care costs.
authors.affiliation: 1 Center of Laboratory Medicine, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.affiliation: 2 Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition and Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Zeno
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Stanga
authors.affiliation: 3 LMZ Risch Laboratories, Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr Risch, Landstrasse 157, 9494 Schaan, Liechtenstein.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zerlauth
authors.affiliation: 1 Center of Laboratory Medicine, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bernasconi
authors.affiliation: 3 LMZ Risch Laboratories, Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr Risch, Landstrasse 157, 9494 Schaan, Liechtenstein.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Risch
authors.affiliation: 1 Center of Laboratory Medicine, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.affiliation: 3 LMZ Risch Laboratories, Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr Risch, Landstrasse 157, 9494 Schaan, Liechtenstein.
authors.forename: Lorenz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Risch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008015:Liechtenstein / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014805:Vitamin B 12