Prevalence and Correlation of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D Levels Among Jordanian Patients
Abstract
Introduction: Essential nutrients for many physiological processes, such as bone integrity and neurological functioning, include vitamin D and B12. Notwithstanding their significance, deficits in these vitamins are common and can result in serious health issues. The objective of the study is to evaluate the vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels in a convenient sample of Jordanians who were referred to the Royal Medical Services' King Hussein Medical Center, a major referral medical center in the capital city of Jordan, Amman. Methods: For this study, a total of 70 participants—45 females and 25 males—were randomly chosen. Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D levels were determined by analyzing blood samples already requested for medical purposes. To compare levels and insufficiency rates between sexes, descriptive statistics were calculated and independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests were used. To investigate the correlations between age, vitamin B12, and vitamin D levels, Pearson correlation coefficients were computed. Results: The mean levels of vitamin B12 and vitamin D in females were 388.10 pg/mL and 21.40 ng/mL, respectively. The mean levels of vitamin B12 and vitamin D in males were 429.91 pg/mL and 25.44 ng/mL, respectively. There were no discernible variations in vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels between the sexes (p > 0.05). On the other hand, males (9.5%) had considerably greater levels of vitamin B12 deficiency than females (0.0%) (p = 0.036). Males' vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.448, p = 0.042) as did the pooled sample (r = 0.316, p = 0.020). Conclusion: The study shows that there is a significant positive correlation between vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels and that male participants were more likely to be insufficient in vitamin B12. These findings highlight the necessity of focused dietary interventions and public health initiatives to address and prevent these deficiencies in the Jordanian population. The high prevalence of vitamin B12 and D deficiencies underscores the urgent need for public health strategies, including educational campaigns, nutritional supplementation programs, and dietary modifications, to improve the nutritional status and overall health outcomes in Jordan.
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