Prevalence of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in anemic Afghan patients visiting Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar, Pakistan

RMJ. 2021; 46(3): 753-755

Zair Hassan, Shah Jehan, Uzair Yaqoob, Ibad Ur Rehman, Rafi Ullah, Irfan Ullah.

Abstract
Objective: To identify the prevalence of B12 deficiency in anemic Afghan patients. Methodology: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar from January to June 2019. Vitamin B12, Hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume, mean cell hemoglobin, and mean cell hemoglobin concentration was measured. Results: Out of 228 patients, 103 (45.17%) were male and 125 (54.82%) female. Most were >60 years of age. A total of 60 (26.3%) patients was found B12 deficient, of which 34 were females. Hb level of four patients was Key words: Vitamin B12, anemia, Afghan refugees, macrocytic anemia.