Associations of Vitamin B12, iron deficiency and inflammatory markers with Crohn's disease patients in Gaza strip, Palestine : case-control study

Abstract EN

Objective: we aimed to investigate the associations of vitamin B12, iron deficiency and inflammatory markers with Crohn's disease patients in the Gaza strip, Palestine.

Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 90 adult (18-50 years old) hospitalized Crohn's disease patients and 90 apparently healthy individuals as a control group.

Parameters measured, statistically analyzed and compared with control.

Results: The mean levels of hemoglobin, red blood cell, hematocrit and mean cell hemoglobin concentration significantly decreased, while the white blood cell, red distribution width and platelets levels significantly increased in Crohn's disease patients compared to the control (P<0.001).

Serum vitamin B12 and iron showed a significant decrease while serum ferritin and C-reactive protein showed significant increase in Crohn's disease patients compared to controls (P<0.01).

About 26.7% of cases had high level of C-reactive protein compared to 3.3% of the control.

Vitamin B12 and ferritin significantly increased (402.9±84.5, 306.3±111.6 vs.

276.0±118.9, 79.8±4.9 respectively, P?0.01), while the level of serum iron significantly decreased in Crohn's disease patients with high C-reactive protein (>5.0 mg/L) compared to patients with normal C-reactive protein (29.8±4.0 vs.

58.2±17.0, percentage of change=-48.8 P=0.001).

Some statistically significant correlations reported between different parameters.

Conclusions: Crohn's disease was associated with vitamin B12, iron deficiency and inflammatory markers.

Vitamin B12, iron, ferritin and C-reactive protein are useful laboratory index suitable in the assessment and management of Crohn's disease.

Routine screening of complete blood count, vitamin B12, iron deficiency and inflammatory markers in patients with Crohn's disease are necessary.