Significantly higher frequencies of macrocytosis, anemia, serum vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia in male than in female atrophic glossitis patients

Background/purpose: Our previous study found that 19.0%, 16.9%, 5.3%, 2.3%, 11.9%, and 26.7% of 1064 atrophic glossitis (AG) patients have anemia, serum iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiencies, hyperhomocysteinemia, and serum gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) positivity, respectively. This study evaluated the anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia in 150 male and 914 female AG patients. Materials and methods: The blood hemoglobin (Hb) and serum iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, homocysteine, GPCA levels in 150 male and 914 female AG patients were measured and compared with the corresponding levels in 75 male and 457 female healthy control subjects (HCSs), respectively. Results: We found that 150 male AG patients had significantly lower mean blood Hb, serum iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels, and significantly higher mean serum homocysteine levels than 75 male HCSs. Moreover, 914 female AG patients had significantly lower mean blood Hb and serum iron levels and significantly higher mean serum homocysteine level than 457 female HCSs. In addition, 150 male AG patients had significantly higher mean blood Hb and serum homocysteine levels, significantly lower mean serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, and significantly higher frequencies of Hb, vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia than 914 female AG patients. Conclusion: The male AG patients do have significantly higher mean blood Hb and serum homocysteine levels, significantly lower mean serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, and significantly higher frequencies of Hb, vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiencies and hyperhomocysteinemia than the female AG patients.