A study of relationship between vitamin b12 levels and neurological function in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Abstract

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy refers to a clinical syndrome of long tract signs in the upper and lower extremities arising from a combination of static and dynamic compression [1]. Vitamin B 12 deficiency leads to the development of degenerative disease of the peripheral and central nervous systems. There have been studies on subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord resulting from VB12 deficiency [2] but, no studies to confirm the role of Vitamin B12 in the pathogenesis of CSM [3]. The present study is to find out a co-relation between VB12 deficiency and CSM. Methods: Our study includes 100 patients with CSM to evaluate for co-relation with VB12 deficiency. Demographic data, clinical, radiological and laboratory investigations were done to find a co-relation between VB12 deficiency and severity of symptoms. Result: The level of involvement was maximum at C5-C6 level (42%) followed by C4-C5 level (28%) and C6-C7 levels (20%). Sensory abnormalities were seen in 61% cases, while motor weakness was reported in 50% cases. Prevalence of VB12 deficiency was noted in 47% of cases. VB12 deficiency was seen in 40% cases of level 1 compression and 54.1% and 53.8% cases of level 2 and 3 cord compression respectively. No significant association was observed between level of cord compression and VB12 deficiency (p- 0.37). Significant association was seen between VB12 deficiency and sensory abnormalities (p