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Prevalence of Intrinsic Factor Antibodies and Vitamin B 12 Malabsorption in Older Patients Admitted to a Rehabilitation Hospital
Author(s) -
Bunting Robert W.,
Bitzer Ann M.,
Kenney Robert M.,
Ellman Leonard
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1990.tb01463.x
Subject(s) - medicine , malabsorption , vitamin b , gastroenterology , rehabilitation , vitamin , antibody , intrinsic factor , immunology , vitamin b12 , physical therapy
It is possible that the commonly measured serum level of vitamin B 12 may miss some cases when used to detect vitamin B 12 malabsorption and deficiency in older persons. Serum levels of vitamin B 12 and intrinsic factor antibody (IFAB) were determined on 250 consecutive patients over the age of 70 admitted to a rehabilitation hospital. Patients with abnormal results on either test were given the standard Schilling test when possible. Eight patients had documented B 12 malabsorption. Of these, five had a low serum B 12 level alone and one had a low serum B 12 level and a positive IFAB level; however, two patients had positive IFAB and normal serum B 12 levels. Serum IFAB level may serve as a useful adjunct to serum B 12 level in detecting vitamin B 12 malabsorption in older patients.