Vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly

A common condition: Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the elderly. Search for deficiency should be undertaken whenever the clinical situation could lead to vitamin deficiency whether macrocytic anemia is present or not as i ts development may come late. Pathophysiological implications: The potential relationships between degene rative neuropsychiatric disorders and cerebrovascular or cardiovascular dis ease, mainly via hyperhomocysteinemia, emphasize the importance of searchin g for vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly, I Specific causes: in the elderly, it is important to recognize specific caus es of vitamin B12 deficiency, mainly resulting from vitamin malabsorption.