Norberg B. Vitamin B12 - spectrum of views. Rondel 2000; 3;Editorial
(www.rondellen.net, April-June 2000)

Vitamin B12 – spectrum of views

The supplementation with vitamin B12 is parenteral, except in Sweden (1,2). A main part of Swedish B12 costs (82%) are due to oral supplementation. As a rule of thumb, every fifth Swede > 70 years of age was supplemented with vitamin B12 during 1998. Two patients out of three had oral supplementation. Approximately 65% of the B12 prescriptions originated from primary health care, 25% from hospital-based internists.

A postal questionnaire was distributed to the physicians of primary health care and geriatrics in August to December 1998. The questionnaire contained 24 statements on B12-associated problems to be evaluated by a visuo-analogue scale. The aim of the study was to analyze the stability of B12-associated attitudes and values in primary health care (3) and compare knowledge and competence in primary health care and geriatrics (4). The attitudes tested were stable in the period 1996-1998 in primary health care (3). The responses reflected a high degree of professional knowledge and competence in the B12 field in booth specialties (4).

This editorial is an introduction of an original paper exchange, a scientific bourse. The papers mentioned (3,4,5) are now ready for publication in a ranked scientific journal and can be evaluated by any editor and his referees until June 15, 2000. An acceptance of one of these papers from an editor should include a specification of amendments desired and a specification of estimated handling time.

The present scientific bourse is intended to handle one or two papers each quarter. The aim of the bourse is to speed up publication in the B vitamin field and provide shopping opportunities for editors who feel that their readers would appreciate original papers about problems related to B vitamins.

Dr Bo Norberg
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Northern Sweden, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
bo.norberg.us@vll.se

References

  1. Lökk J, Nilsson M, Norberg B, Rudolphi O, Sandström H, Westman G. Controversies around vitamin B12 in Sweden. Attitudes and values behind clinical decision-making in primary health care 1996. Hematology 1997; 2:341-50.
  2. Kuzminski AM, Del Giacco EJ, Allen RH, Stabler SP, Lindenbaum J. Effective treatment of cobalamin deficiency with oral cobalamin. Blood 1998; 92:1191-8.
  3. Lökk J, Nilsson M, Norberg B, Hultdin J, Sandström H, Westman G
    Shifts in B12 opinions in primary health care of Sweden. Scand J PublicHealth 2001; 29:122-128. Reprints: bo.norberg.us@vll.se
  4. Lökk J, Nilsson M, Norberg B, Hultdin J, Sandström H, Westman G
    Vitamin B12 in primary helath care and geriatrics. Attitudes, knowledge, competence. Int J Ger Psych 2001;16(10):987-92. Reprints: bo.norberg.us@vll.se
  5. Nilsson M, Lökk J, Norberg B, Hultdin J, Sandström H, Westman G. Sex differences in cobalamin (vitamin B12) opinions of Swedish physicians. Nord J Psych 2001, in press. Original manuscript available as electronic pdf-document

Published March 25, 2000