N. Haslam et Cs. Probert, AN AUDIT OF THE INVESTIGATION AND TREATMENT OF FOLIC-ACID DEFICIENCY, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 91(2), 1998, pp. 72-73
On the suspicion that folate deficiency was not being thoroughly inves
tigated we conducted a retrospective study of management in a teaching
hospital. Notes from 84 consecutive patients with low red cell folate
s (mean age 69.5 years, range 21-95, M:F 33:51) were reviewed for haem
oglobin, mean cell volume, dietary history, alcohol consumption, drug
history, relevant medical history, relevant investigations, treatment,
repeat measurement of red cell folate and diagnosis of deficiency. In
52 (61.9%, mean age 72.9 years, range 33-95, M:F 21:51) no diagnosis
was reached. In only 32 (38.1%, mean age 63.9 years, range 21-89, M:F
12:20) was a definitive diagnosis established: 5 had coeliac disease,
1 had Crohn's disease, 9 had drug-associated deficiency (4 methotrexat
e, 3 phenytoin, 1 trimethoprim and 1 valproate), 1 had combined variab
le immunodeficiency and 16 had dietary deficiency. In most cases of fo
lic acid deficiency no attempt was made to establish aetiology. We rec
ommend that younger patients without an obvious cause are investigated
initially by dietary assessment and measurement of antiendomysial ant
ibody and by duodenal biopsy with small-bowel follow-through if clinic
ally indicated.