@article{Saqer_Al-majaidah_Safi_Shbair_Abu-Azab_2018, title={Vitamin B12 Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Patients on Metformin in Gaza Strip-Palestine}, volume={4}, url={http://www.rajournals.in/index.php/rajar/article/view/420}, DOI={10.31142/rajar/v4i10.01}, abstractNote={<p><strong>Background: </strong>Metformin is the most common oral hypoglycemic agent that used to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus(T2DM) patients, which associated side effects such as Vitamin B<sub>12</sub>(VB<sub>12</sub>) deficiency.</p> <p><strong>Objective</strong>: This study was carried out to determine the serum level of vitamin B<sub>12</sub> in Palestinian patients with T2DM  lived in Gaza Strip.</p> <p><strong>Materials And Methods: </strong>We conducted cross sectional study comprised 73T2DM patients on Metformin. Questionnaire interview was applied. Blood samples were collected  for CBC and  VB<sub>12</sub> detection. VB<sub>12</sub> deficiency was defined as serum concentration of <300 pg/ml.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>There was significantly lower  in mean of  vitamin B<sub>12</sub> level in participants who have used metformin for ≥5years and in patients who were on metformin at a dose of <strong>≥</strong>1000 mg/ day. Duration of metformin use were associated with increased risk of B<sub>12 </sub>deficiency 4.9 times (OR= 4.9) which increases the risk of DM complications 2.7 times . The results showed that 100 mg increase in metformin dose was associated with a 19.3 ± 4.4 pg/ ml (<em>P </em>= 0.00) lowering Vitamin B<sub>12</sub> level. Every one year increase in the duration of diabetes associated with18.6 ± 6.7 pg/ ml( <em>P </em>=0.007) lowering in VB<sub>12</sub> level.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion :</strong> Low serum VB<sub>12</sub> level is associated with longer duration and higher dose of metformin use. Therefore, routine determination of VB<sub>12</sub> level in patients with T2DM on high dose of metformin and those with prolonged use of metformin might help in identifying patients that would benefit from VB<sub>12</sub> supplements.</p>}, number={10}, journal={RA Journal Of Applied Research}, author={Saqer, Lamia’a S. and Al-majaidah, Mohammed I. and Safi, Youssef O. and Shbair, Salem S. Shbair and Abu-Azab, Tareq Z.}, year={2018}, month={Oct.}, pages={1993–1998} }