Prevalence of Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) Deficiency Associated with Autoimmune Gastritis in Patients Suffering from Autoimmune Disorders

• Published in: Medical Journal of Babylon
• Main Authors: Zainab Mohammed Jasim, Khawla A. Shemran, Hind Salih Mhaimeed ALhamdani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-06-01
• Subjects: antinuclear antibodies (ana); autoimmune gastritis (ag); cobalamin (vitamin b12); enterochromaffin-like (ecl); gastrin
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_805_24
• ISSN: 1812-156X; 2312-6760

Background: Autoimmune gastritis (AG) is a chronic gastritis characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining and is often associated with intrinsic factor deficiency and pernicious anemia. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate AG as a diagnostic entity and its association with cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency, particularly its gender-specific prevalence. Additionally, the study examined gastrin levels and antinuclear antibody positivity in patients diagnosed with AG. Materials and Methods: The study included 500 patients (240 male and 260 female) diagnosed with AG. Specimens, including blood samples and gastric biopsies, were collected from the Hilla Teaching Hospital between March and September 2023. Results: AG was characterized by immune-mediated damage to the stomach lining, leading to inflammation. Inflammation can impair the production of intrinsic factors that are vital for vitamin B12 absorption, thereby increasing the risk of cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency. This study found a higher prevalence of cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency in females compared to males among patients with AG. Additionally, gastrin levels were assessed in the study population. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of understanding gastric histology for the accurate diagnosis of AG. Insights into the microscopic structure and function of the stomach lining will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of gastric physiology. These findings highlight the sex-specific prevalence of cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency in patients with AG, with females being at higher risk. Furthermore, the presence of antinuclear antibodies indicated an association between AG and other autoimmune diseases.