Vitamin B12 Level Have Prognostic Significance in Multiple Myeloma Patients?

Aim: The aim is to investigate retrospectively the association between vitamin B12 levels at the time of diagnosis and the complications including hypercalcemia and fractures in multiple myeloma patients. Material and Method: The association between vitamin B12 level at the time of diagnosis and myeloma complications such as hypercalcemia and bone lesions were analyzed with chi-square in 140 multiple myeloma patients. Findings: Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 29 patients (20.7%). While the rate of hypercalcemia is 37.9% in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, it is 18.9% in patients without deficiency. The fracture rate was 44.8% in vitamin B12 deficient group and 23.4% in the other group. Results: Vitamin B12 deficiency at the time of diagnosis is associated with hypercalcemia and bone fracture rate (p=0.04, p=0.03). Discussion: Vitamin B12 level might have prognostic significance since hypercalcemia and fracture rate is increased in the vitamin B12 deficient group. Further studies with a larger patient group are needed on this subject.