Fig.1. During the period 1996-1998, Swedish general practitioners agreed that it is an error of the art to treat a macrocytic anemia with folate only.

In our questionnaire studies of attitudes and knowledge among Swedish general practitioners on B12-associated clinical problems, there was a statement:

"It is an error of the art to treat a macrocytic anemia with folate only".

It is evident from Fig 1 that the majority accepted the statement. However, conviction had decreased significantly (p<0.01) between 1996 and 1998 (1).

The statement does not reflect a psychosocial attitude but a vital process in human cells, especially nerve cells. Biochemical facts support the view that folate medication should always be combined with cobalamin medication in deficiency states (cf. 2, 3).

1. Lökk J, Nilsson M, Norberg B, Hultdin J, Sandström H, Westman G. Shifts in B12 opinions in primary health care of Sweden. Scand J Public Health 2001; 29:122-8
2. Hultdin J. Vitamin B6 and polyneuropathy. [Debate]. Rondel 2000; 4. URL: http://www.rondellen.net debate04_eng.htm
3. Friel JK. Folate supplements and the masking of vitamin-B12 deficiency. J Nutr 2002; 132:2087

Published July 19, 2002