TABLE 4.
Characteristics of 1408 Boston Puerto Rican Health Study participants, by vitamin B-12 deficiency and high plasma folate status1
| Deficient B-12/high folate | Deficient B-12/not high folate | Adequate B-12/high folate | Adequate B-12/not high folate | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n | 10 | 114 | 217 | 1067 | |
| Age, y | 58.8 ± 7.9 | 59.4 ± 7.8 | 59.07 ± 7.0 | 56.4 ± 7.4 | <0.0001 |
| Sex | 0.002 | ||||
| Male | 2 (20.0) | 43 (37.7) | 44 (20.3) | 321 (30.1) | |
| Pre- or postmenopausal female with estrogen use | 1 (10.0) | 7 (6.1) | 26 (12.0) | 156 (14.6) | |
| Postmenopausal female with no estrogen use | 7 (70.0) | 64 (56.1) | 147 (67.7) | 590 (55.3) | |
| Physical activity2 | 29.7 ± 3.6 | 30.7 ± 4.2 | 32.2 ± 5.4 | 31.5 ± 4.7 | 0.02 |
| PLP,3 nmol/L | 42.0 ± 21.2 | 34.9 ± 21.2 | 79.5 ± 67.4 | 54.2 ± 59.5 | <0.0001 |
| Homocysteine, μmol/L | 15.8 ± 14.7 | 12.7 ± 7.2 | 7.9 ± 2.8 | 8.8 ± 3.9 | <0.0001 |
| Global cognitive z score | −0.269 ± 1.1 | −0.224 ± 0.6 | 0.043 ± 0.5 | −0.009 ± 0.5 | <0.0001 |
| Multivitamin supplement | 2 (20.0) | 15 (13.1) | 75 (34.6) | 183 (17.1) | <0.0001 |
| Folic acid supplement | 3 (30.0) | 2 (1.8) | 13 (6.0) | 12 (1.1) | <0.0001 |
| Vitamin B-12 supplement | 1 (10.0) | 1 (0.9) | 5 (2.3) | 20 (1.9) | 0.23 |
| B complex supplement | 3 (30.0) | 5 (4.4) | 19 (8.8) | 52 (4.9) | 0.0008 |
1
Values are means ± SDs or n (%) unless otherwise indicated. Groups did not differ significantly in BMI, education, alcohol use, smoking, diabetes, or apoE ε4. Vitamin B-12 deficiency was defined as <148 pmol/L or MMA > 271 nmol/L. High plasma folate was defined as >59 nmol/L. PLP, pyridoxal-5-phosphate.
2
Physical activity score (range: 24.3–62.6), weighted for total time sleeping and lying down, sitting activity, light activity, moderate activity, and vigorous activity.
3
Vitamin B-6.