An Independent Predictor of Mortality in Hospitalized Patients: Vitamin B12

Abstract

Objectives: Increased vitamin B12 levels are associated with mortality. We aim to define the relationship between B12 levels and 6 months,12 months, and 48 months mortality. Methods: We investigated 455 patients hospitalized in the internal medicine clinic from 01.01.2014 to 30.06.2014. Patients younger than 18 years old, with chronic heart failure, hematological malignancies, solid tumors, chronic liver disease, and end-stage kidney disease were excluded. Patients with a vitamin B12 below and below the reference range were excluded. Laboratory parameters and vitamin B12 levels were compared between survival and non-survival groups at 6 months,12 months, and 48 months. Mortality data for 6 months,12 months, and 48 months after the first hospitalization day were obtained. Results: The mortality percentages of patients were evaluated on the 6th, 12th, and 48th months. Age, complete blood count parameters (hemoglobin, white blood cell, and platelet), acute phase reactants, and serum vitamin B12 levels were compared between patient groups. Increased vitamin B12 level was found to be correlated with acute phase reactants (C reactive protein, albumin, ferritin, sedimentation) and hemoglobin. Regression analysis revealed that increased vitamin B12 levels, ferritin, sedimentation, white blood cell, and low albumin levels were statistically significant in 6th-month mortality. High white blood cell count and low albumin levels were statistically significantly correlated with mortality in the 12th and 48th months. Conclusion: Increased vitamin B12 levels were effective in predicting 6-month, 12-month, and 48-month mortality. Age-decreased albumin levels, acute phase reactants, and increased B12 levels were identified in hospitalized patients as risk factors for short, mid-term, and long-term mortality.