A Study of Vitamin B12 Level as a Risk Factor for Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for Ischemic stroke. Data from prospective studies on the associations between Vitamin B-12 plasma levels and the risk of stroke is limited. We conducted a Case control study to establish the relationship between Vitamin B12 levels and acute ischemic stroke. Aims: 1.To study the prevalence of Vitamin B12 levels in normal healthy Individuals 2. To estimate the serum levels of Vitamin B12 in Ischemic Stroke and compare it with normal age and sex matched control population 3. To study Vitamin B12 level as an independent risk factor of Ischemic Stroke. Methods: This study was conducted involving 60 patients of acute ischemic stroke with 40 age and sex matched healthy controls. Data collected involved age, sex and risk factors. Vitamin B12 and Homocysteine levels were sent within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms and analysed by Chemiluminescent Immunoassay. Results: Mean ± SD age of the patients was 54.7±14.7 years. 23.3 % of patients were of young stroke (< 45 years).73.3% were male while 23.7 % were female. Hypertension was observed in 43.3% while Diabetes was present in 23.3% patients. Mean vitamin B-12 levels were 316.5±218.9 pg/ml in the cases while controls had a mean level of 334.1±190.5 pg/ml. Mean Vitamin B12 levels in stroke patients were lower than the control Group, but were not statistically significant. There was no correlation between vascular risk factors and Low Vitamin B12 levels. Conclusions: Low Vitamin B12 levels were not associated with an increased risk of Ischemic Stroke. Key-words: Vitamin B-12, Homocysteine, Acute Ischemic Stroke. *Correspondence to: Dr. Dilip Maheshwari, 135, Vivekanand Nagar, Kota, Rajasthan, India.