Research in Medicine

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Background: Vitiligo is an idiopathic and acquired disease characterized by de-pigmented areas of skin. The precise mechanism involved is not clear. Low levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 have been suggested to play a possible role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. In this study we checked the serum level of folic acid and vitamin B12 in patients with vitiligo. Materials and methods: In this case-control study 50 patients with the mean age of 25.3±12 years and 50 normal controls with mean age of 31±12.4 years were evaluated. Radioimmunoassay was used to determine serum level of folic acid and vitamin B12. Patients with pernicious anemia and history of folic acid and vitamin B12 supplement therapy were excluded from this study. Results: Mean serum level of folic acid and vitamin B12 was 7.9±3.5 ng/ml and 320.5±183.6 pg/ml, respectively, in patients. The figures for controls were 301.4±13 pg/ml and 6.8±3.9 ng/ml.. According to t test this difference was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: In this study no association was found between the serum level of folic acid and vitamin B12 in patients with vitiligo.

Keywords: Vitiligo, Vitamin B12, Folic acid.

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