Abstract Details

The primary objective is to determine the prevalence of serum vitamin B1, B6, B12 and D deficiency and inadequate intakes of these vitamins in Parkinson’s disease (PD).  The secondary aim is to determine associations between serum vitamin levels and vitamin intakes.

The ability to maintain adequate nutritional intake can be compromised in PD resulting in possible deficiencies impacting symptoms.  Vitamins B1, B6, B12 and D may have neurological implications if deficient.  Previous research has examined vitamin levels and PD risk, but there is minimal research examining the relationship between dietary intake and vitamin levels in PD patients. 

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 subjects with PD who attended the Nebraska Medicine Parkinson’s Disease Multidisciplinary Clinic.  Serum vitamin B1, B6, B12 and 25(OH)D levels were collected.  Subjects also completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary B1, B6, B12 and D intake and inadequate intake was defined as intakes below the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for that nutrient. Descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated.  P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Of 100 subjects enrolled, 76 subjects had information on at least one serum vitamin level and 49 subjects completed FFQs.  The prevalence of deficiencies for serum vitamin B1 was 6.7%, vitamin B6 was 26.9%, vitamin B12 was 3.9%, and vitamin D was 19.7%.  24.8% had inadequate vitamin B1 intake, 20.4% had inadequate vitamin B6 intake, 4.1% had inadequate vitamin B12 intake, and 61.2% had inadequate vitamin D intake.  Positive correlations were found between serum levels and vitamin intakes for vitamin B1 (r=0.32, p=0.035), vitamin B6 (r=0.41, p=0.011), vitamin B12 (r=0.27, p=0.086) and vitamin D (r=0.42, p=0.008).

Evaluating dietary intakes and relationships with serum vitamins can lead to targeted nutritional interventions to improve PD symptoms.