Study on Serum Vitamin B12 And Folic Acid in Patients of Ischaemic Stroke

Abstract

Context: Stroke is the third commonest cause of death in developed countries and is responsible for the physical disability of a large population. Of two types, ischaemic stroke covers 85% and haemorrhagic stroke is only 15%.

Methods: A case control study was designed to see the association of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid level with ischemic stroke. The study was done from January to December 2009 in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. A total of 60 subjects were selected as study population. Among them 30 were diagnosed case of ischaemic stroke and 30 were age and sex matched healthy control.

Results: The mean vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid levels in case group were 231.02±10.81 pg/ml and 2.29±0.54 ng/ml respectively. For control group, the mean vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid levels were 278.72±15.88 pg/ml and 7.24±2.19 ng/ml respectively.

Conclusion: The study suggests that low levels of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid are associated with ischaemic stroke.

Key words: Ischaemic stroke; vitamin B₁₂; folic acid.

DOI: 10.3329/jdmc.v19i2.7080

J Dhaka Med Coll. 2010; 19(2) : 115-117