Hematinic deficiencies and anemia statuses in oral mucosal disease patients with folic acid deficiency

Abstract

Folic acid deficiency (FAD) may result in macrocytic anemia. This study assessed the hematinic deficiencies and anemia statuses in oral mucosal disease patients with FAD (defined as folic acid ≤ 6 ng/mL). Methods: The blood hemoglobin (Hb), iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid concentrations, serum gastric parietal cell antibody level, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in 198 oral mucosal disease patients with FAD were measured. Based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, anemia or Hb deficiency was defined as having an Hb concentration of 5.0 × 1012/L, and Mentzer index (MCV/RBC) < 13. Results: We found that by WHO definitions, 73 (36.9%), 41 (20.7%), and 10 (5.1%) of our 198 FAD patients had concomitant Hb, iron, and vitamin B12 deficiencies, respectively. Of 73 anemic FAD patients, three had macrocytic anemia due to FAD, one had pernicious anemia, 14 had iron deficiency anemia, eight had thalassemia trait, and the resting 47 had normocytic anemia. Conclusion: In addition to macrocytic anemia (2.0%), FAD patients may have concomitant normocytic (23.7%) or microcytic (11.1%) anemia.

Keywords

• folic acid
• macrocytic anemia
• microcytic anemia
• normocytic anemia
• pernicious anemia
• vitamin B12