Authors
Yahaya G. , Kusfa I. U. , Mamman A. I. , Abubakar S. A. , Awwalu S. , Muktar H. M. , Hassan A.
Abstract
Background: Cobalamin deficiency causes defective methylation of myelin resulting in progressive neuropathy. This
affects the spinal cord's peripheral sensory nerves and posterior and lateral columns. Inadequate methylation of
myelin affects its quality and sufficiency with resultant interference of neuronal signal transmission. Objectives: To
determine the relationship between Cobalamin deficiency and neuropsychiatric syndromes in patients attending
neurology and psychiatric units of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. Methods: We
conducted a cross-sectional study involving 68 patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms and signs. A semistructured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the study participants.
Tables were used to show the frequencies and proportions of the neuropsychiatric syndromes. Serum cobalamin
levels were estimated using Human Transcobalamin 2 (TCN2) ELISA Kit, WKEA MED SUPPLIES CORP
Changchun 130012 China. Results: 68 participants were enrolled in this study, with males being 45 (66.2%). The
mean (±Standard Deviation) age and the median with interquartile range (IQR) of cobalamin level of the study
participants were 34.37±13.70 years and 140 (30) pmol/L respectively. Some neuropsychiatric syndromes of
statistical significance were icteric 17 (25.0%), abnormal light touch sensation 13 (19.1%), abnormal vibration
sense 23 (33.8%), abnormal joint position sense 24 (35.3%) and hyperpigmentation of palms and soles 13 (19.1%).
Conclusion: This study showed a high cobalamin deficiency among the patients attending neuropsychiatric units. It
also showed a statistically significant relationship between serum cobalamin and clinical signs, signifying
proficiency in eliciting clinical signs is paramount in detecting people with suspected cobalamin deficiency.
Therefore, vitamin B12 deficiency is a frequently ignored cause of neuropathy and psychiatric disorders
affects the spinal cord's peripheral sensory nerves and posterior and lateral columns. Inadequate methylation of
myelin affects its quality and sufficiency with resultant interference of neuronal signal transmission. Objectives: To
determine the relationship between Cobalamin deficiency and neuropsychiatric syndromes in patients attending
neurology and psychiatric units of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. Methods: We
conducted a cross-sectional study involving 68 patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms and signs. A semistructured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the study participants.
Tables were used to show the frequencies and proportions of the neuropsychiatric syndromes. Serum cobalamin
levels were estimated using Human Transcobalamin 2 (TCN2) ELISA Kit, WKEA MED SUPPLIES CORP
Changchun 130012 China. Results: 68 participants were enrolled in this study, with males being 45 (66.2%). The
mean (±Standard Deviation) age and the median with interquartile range (IQR) of cobalamin level of the study
participants were 34.37±13.70 years and 140 (30) pmol/L respectively. Some neuropsychiatric syndromes of
statistical significance were icteric 17 (25.0%), abnormal light touch sensation 13 (19.1%), abnormal vibration
sense 23 (33.8%), abnormal joint position sense 24 (35.3%) and hyperpigmentation of palms and soles 13 (19.1%).
Conclusion: This study showed a high cobalamin deficiency among the patients attending neuropsychiatric units. It
also showed a statistically significant relationship between serum cobalamin and clinical signs, signifying
proficiency in eliciting clinical signs is paramount in detecting people with suspected cobalamin deficiency.
Therefore, vitamin B12 deficiency is a frequently ignored cause of neuropathy and psychiatric disorders
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