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Relationship Between Vitamin B 12 and Sensory and Motor Peripheral Nerve Function in Older Adults
Author(s) -
Leishear Kira,
Boudreau Robert M.,
Studenski Stephanie A.,
Ferrucci
Luigi,
Rosano Caterina,
Rekeneire Nathalie,
Houston Denise K.,
Kritchevsky Stephen B.,
Schwartz Ann V.,
Vinik Aaron I.,
Hogervorst Eva,
Yaffe Kristine,
Harris Tamara B.,
Newman Anne B.,
Strotmeyer Elsa S.
Publication year - 2012
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.1532-5415.2012.03998.x
Subject(s) - medicine , sensory system , peripheral , motor function , vitamin b , peripheral nerve , vitamin , motor nerve , gerontology , neuroscience , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anatomy , biology
Objectives To examine whether deficient B 12 status or low serum B 12 levels are associated with worse sensory and motor peripheral nerve function in older adults. Design Cross‐sectional. Setting H ealth, A ging and B ody C omposition Study. Participants Two thousand two hundred and eighty‐seven adults aged 72 to 83 (mean 76.5 ± 2.9; 51.4% female; 38.3% black). Measurements Low serum B 12 was defined as serum B 12 less than 260 pmol/ L , and deficient B12 status was defined as B12 less than 260 pmol/ L , methylmalonic acid ( MMA ) greater than 271 nmol/ L , and MMA greater than 2‐methylcitrate. Peripheral nerve function was assessed according to peroneal nerve conduction amplitude and velocity ( NCV ) (motor), 1.4 g/10 g monofilament detection, average vibration threshold detection, and peripheral neuropathy symptoms (numbness, aching or burning pain, or both) (sensory). Results B 12‐deficient status was found in 7.0% of participants, and an additional 10.1% had low serum B 12 levels. B 12 deficient status was associated with greater insensitivity to light (1.4 g) touch (odds ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–2.13) and worse NCV (42.3 vs 43.5 m/s) (β = −1.16, P = .01) after multivariable adjustment for demographics, lifestyle factors, and health conditions. Associations were consistent for the alternative definition using low serum B 12 only. No significant associations were found for deficient B 12 status or the alternative low serum B 12 definition and vibration detection, nerve conduction amplitude, or peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Conclusion Poor B 12 (deficient B 12 status and low serum B 12) is associated with worse sensory and motor peripheral nerve function. Nerve function impairments may lead to physical function declines and disability in older adults, suggesting that prevention and treatment of low B 12 levels may be important to evaluate.