A study investigating usage of vitamin B supplementation and current serum vitamin B levels of elderly patients with chronic diabetes mellitus resided in almshouse

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. It is assumed that diabetic complications can occur as a result of vitamin B deficiency and B vitamins can alleviate some symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. The main aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between vitamin B supplementation and the current serum vitamin B levels in elderly. The study was conducted in Darülaceze Almshouse Kayışdağı Campus and was continued from May 2012 to September 2012. Within the scope of mixed method, data filtering technique and Neuropathic Symptoms & General Satisfaction of Patients Assesment Form were applied to 110 elderly with diabetes. By using data filtering technique from the automation system, demographic characteristics and changes in the serum vitamin B12, folate and plasma HbA1c levels of 110 elderly with diabetes were investigated. A majority of the population (2/3) were males in an elderly population with mean 69 years of age. There is no significant difference in HbA1C levels in patients the ones using and not using vitamins (p>0.05). However, significance exists in terms of B12 and folic acid designated by Mann Whitney U test. Also, Wilcoxon Test had been used to explore the statistical differences between the evaluations before and after treatment. No significant difference has been found for HbA1c and Folic acid values (p>0.05). However, there was a significant increase in B12 (p<0.05) concentration after treatment indicating a positive streamline for the individuals. 64.5 % of the participants (n=71) responded their patient satisfaction as good, 28.2 % (n=31) admitted as moderate. This investigation reveals current evidence is not strong enough for supplementation with vitamins to be recommended for DM management. Double-blind and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the clinical effectiveness of vitamin B usage on diabetes. Key Words: Elderly, Vitamin B Deficiency, Neuropathy, Diabetes Mellitus