Abstract
The objective of this review is to evaluate the usefulness of oral cobalamin (vitamin B12) treatment in elderly patients. PubMed was systematically searched for English and French articles published from January 1990 to January 2007. Prospective randomized studies (n = 3), a systematic review by the Cochrane group (n = 1) and prospective studies in a well defined population (n = 5) provide evidence that oral cobalamin therapy may adequately treat cobalamin deficiency in elderly patients. However, the current literature does not suggest a strategy in terms of the form (hydroxy- or cyanocobalamin), frequency and duration of the treatment. This review confirms the previously reported efficacy of oral cobalamin treatment in elderly patients. Oral cobalamin treatment avoids the discomfort, inconvenience and cost of monthly injections.
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Acknowledgements
We are indebted to Professor Marc Imler and Jean-Louis Schlienger who initiated this work. No funding was used to assist in the preparation of this review. The research on cobalamin deficiency was supported by a grant from the Fondation de France (Prix Robert et Jacqueline Zittoun 2004). The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.
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Andrès, E., Vogel, T., Federici, L. et al. Update on Oral Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) Treatment in Elderly Patients. Drugs Aging 25, 927–932 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2165/0002512-200825110-00003
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/0002512-200825110-00003