Prevalence of and risk factors for vitamin B(12) deficiency in patients with Crohn's disease

Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2008 Feb;14(2):217-23. doi: 10.1002/ibd.20282.

Abstract

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) can commonly involve the terminal ileum, which is the site of B(12) absorption. The aim of this study was to define the prevalence of vitamin B(12) abnormalities in a population with CD and to identify risk factors associated with B(12) abnormalities in CD.

Methods: The medical records of 201 patients with CD evaluated at a tertiary care center were retrospectively reviewed to determine the prevalence of B(12) deficiency and to evaluate factors associated with B(12) deficiency. The prevalence of B(12) deficiency in a control population of 40 patients with ulcerative colitis was also assessed.

Results: The prevalence of an abnormal serum B(12) concentration in patients with CD was 18.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.1-23.8%) compared with 5% (95% CI, 0-11.8%) (P = 0.035) in ulcerative colitis controls. Risk factors for B(12) deficiency in patients with CD included prior ileal (odds ratio [OR], 7.22; 95% CI, 1.97-26.51) or ileocolonic (OR, 5.81; 95% CI, 2.09-16.12) resection and the need for ongoing medical therapy (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.03-6.47). Neither disease location nor duration was independently associated with the risk of B(12) deficiency.

Conclusions: Vitamin B(12) abnormalities are common in patients with CD and patients with a prior ileal or ileocolonic resection are at particular risk. Routine screening for B(12) deficiency in patients with CD is warranted.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Colectomy / adverse effects
  • Crohn Disease / complications*
  • Crohn Disease / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ileum / surgery
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / epidemiology*
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / etiology
  • Washington / epidemiology