Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Endemic in Indian Population: A Perspective from North India

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B12 deficiency is believed to be widespread in Indian population. However, more data is needed to fuel a meaningful debate on preventive and therapeutic strategies. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Objective of the current study is to evaluate status of vitamin B12 levels in people from a tier 3 city and among people living in an urban area with or without diabetes. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. METHODOLOGY: Data captured in electronic medical records (EMR) of an endocrine practice and from a diagnostic laboratory was analysed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done using open source software “Jamovi”. RESULTS: Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency (Vitamin B12 levels <200 pg/ml) in tier 3 city was 47.19% (n = 267). From an urban endocrine practice, database of 11913 patients was searched for reports of vitamin B12 levels. Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was 37.76% in people with pre-diabetes (n = 92), 31.23% in people with endocrine problems other than diabetes and pre-diabetes (n = 285) and 18.25% in people with diabetes (n = 378). Tier 3 city population had significantly lower vitamin B12 levels than people living in an urban area and attending an endocrine clinic. Vitamin B12 levels were significantly higher in people with diabetes as compared to people with other endocrine problems. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is 47% in north Indian population. People with diabetes have higher vitamin B12 levels than general population though still have high prevalence of deficiency. This data shows that Vitamin B12 deficiency is widespread in Indian population.