Protein-bound cobalamin absorption declines in the elderly.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional comparative observational study
PubMed 1550110 · doi:10.1002/ajh.2830390202
What was done
Researchers evaluated dietary cobalamin (vitamin B12) absorption using a modified protein-bound cobalamin absorption test across healthy adults in different age categories (young adults, 55 to 75 years, and older than 75 years) and in patients with isolated low serum cobalamin concentrations.
What was found
Dietary cobalamin absorption was significantly reduced in healthy adults aged 55 to 75 years compared with young adults, with a further reduction in those older than 75 years. Cobalamin malabsorption was associated with elevated serum gastrin. No difference in absorption was detected between patients with isolated low serum cobalamin and controls of a similar age group, as reduced absorption was frequently observed in healthy elderly people with normal serum cobalamin concentrations. The abstract reports no numerical values or statistical metrics.
Why it matters
This study indicates that age-related decline in protein-bound B12 absorption is common and linked to elevated gastrin. This limits the diagnostic utility of protein-bound cobalamin absorption testing for distinguishing isolated deficiency in elderly populations.
Limits
Sample size is not reported in the abstract. No quantitative measurements, p-values, or confidence intervals are provided. The cross-sectional design cannot determine longitudinal progression of malabsorption.
Cited by
- supports The human body's capacity to absorb vitamin B12 decreases with age.