Tags

Type your tag names separated by a space and hit enter

Shifts in B12 opinions in primary health care of Sweden.
Scand J Public Health. 2001 Jun; 29(2):122-8.SJ

Abstract

AIMS

The diagnosis and management of vitamin B12 deficiency varies between countries and within countries. The aim of the study was to map current attitudes and values behind clinical decision-making in Swedish primary health care, which has a unique B12 tradition: two patients out of three are treated with oral high-dose cyanocobalamin. Most patients with B12-associated problems are managed in primary health care by general practitioners (GPs).

METHODS

The study was designed to elucidate possible opinion shifts among GPs during the period 1996-1998. GPs (n=499), stratified and randomized, received a questionnaire with 24 statements on B12-associated clinical and laboratory problems, to be evaluated by a visuo-analogue scale.

RESULTS

The majority of GPs in primary health care in Sweden accepted homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) as markers for functional deficiency of vitamin B12. The evaluation of classical markers of B12 deficiency was wary and balanced. There was a consensus of the need for B12 therapy to risk groups such as patients with atrophic gastritis or previous gastric surgery. The answers also appeared to reflect an improvement of professional knowledge and competence concerning B12-associated problems among Swedish GPs between 1996 and 1998.

CONCLUSIONS

The overriding conclusion was that B12-associated opinions of Swedish GPs were stable within the period studied, with marginal improvements of knowledge and competence.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Lökk J
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute/Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Nilsson M
No affiliation info available
Norberg B
No affiliation info available
Hultdin J
No affiliation info available
Sandström H
No affiliation info available
Westman G
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Attitude of Health PersonnelBiomarkersClinical CompetenceDecision MakingHomocysteineHumansMethylmalonic AcidPhysicians, FamilyPrimary Health CareSurveys and QuestionnairesSwedenVitamin B 12Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

11484864

Citation

Lökk, J, et al. "Shifts in B12 Opinions in Primary Health Care of Sweden." Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, vol. 29, no. 2, 2001, pp. 122-8.
Lökk J, Nilsson M, Norberg B, et al. Shifts in B12 opinions in primary health care of Sweden. Scand J Public Health. 2001;29(2):122-8.
Lökk, J., Nilsson, M., Norberg, B., Hultdin, J., Sandström, H., & Westman, G. (2001). Shifts in B12 opinions in primary health care of Sweden. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 29(2), 122-8.
Lökk J, et al. Shifts in B12 Opinions in Primary Health Care of Sweden. Scand J Public Health. 2001;29(2):122-8. PubMed PMID: 11484864.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Shifts in B12 opinions in primary health care of Sweden. AU - Lökk,J, AU - Nilsson,M, AU - Norberg,B, AU - Hultdin,J, AU - Sandström,H, AU - Westman,G, PY - 2001/8/4/pubmed PY - 2002/1/5/medline PY - 2001/8/4/entrez SP - 122 EP - 8 JF - Scandinavian journal of public health JO - Scand J Public Health VL - 29 IS - 2 N2 - AIMS: The diagnosis and management of vitamin B12 deficiency varies between countries and within countries. The aim of the study was to map current attitudes and values behind clinical decision-making in Swedish primary health care, which has a unique B12 tradition: two patients out of three are treated with oral high-dose cyanocobalamin. Most patients with B12-associated problems are managed in primary health care by general practitioners (GPs). METHODS: The study was designed to elucidate possible opinion shifts among GPs during the period 1996-1998. GPs (n=499), stratified and randomized, received a questionnaire with 24 statements on B12-associated clinical and laboratory problems, to be evaluated by a visuo-analogue scale. RESULTS: The majority of GPs in primary health care in Sweden accepted homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) as markers for functional deficiency of vitamin B12. The evaluation of classical markers of B12 deficiency was wary and balanced. There was a consensus of the need for B12 therapy to risk groups such as patients with atrophic gastritis or previous gastric surgery. The answers also appeared to reflect an improvement of professional knowledge and competence concerning B12-associated problems among Swedish GPs between 1996 and 1998. CONCLUSIONS: The overriding conclusion was that B12-associated opinions of Swedish GPs were stable within the period studied, with marginal improvements of knowledge and competence. SN - 1403-4948 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/11484864/Shifts_in_B12_opinions_in_primary_health_care_of_Sweden_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -