How we wish to be cited:
Björkegren K. Sex differences in cobalamin competence [evaluation]. Rondel 2002; 13. URL: http://www.rondellen.net

Sex differences in cobalamin competence

In 1996-98, three postal inquiries were sent to general practitioners (GPs) and geriatricians in Sweden (cf 1). The receivers were asked to evaluate 24 statements on B12-associated clinical problems. The answers were thought to mirror the knowledge, competence and attitudes of the physicians on cobalamin and folate. Then the results from all three samples were pooled in order to elucidate gender role (1). At the time of the investigation, it was not widely known that women in fertile age provide a risk group for cobalamin deficiency, neither that homocysteine provides a good screening test for "excluding" deficiency of cobalamin/folate. The over-all response rate was 71%, 480 women and 526 men. Female doctors appeared to rate patient symptoms higher than laboratory tests, as compared with male doctors. The women also seemed to have better knowledge on B12-associated clinical problems than men. Nevertheless, a meta analysis may be distorted by one of the subgroups. The female:male ratio was 6:4 in the geriatrician group, 4:6 in the GP groups. Thus, the gender difference of the present study may turn out to be a specialty difference. In any case, the result of the present study must be verified or falsified by prospective and randomized studies.

Karin Björkegren

Reference

1. Nilsson M, Lökk J, Norberg B, Hultdin J, Sandström H, Westman G. Sex differences in cobalamin (vitamin B12) opinions of Swedish physicians. Nord J Psychiatry 2002; 56:299-303.

Published November 11, 2002