Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder. The major clinical manifestation is chronic hyperglycemia which results from impaired insulin secretion or/and impaired insulin action. Diabetes mellitus classifications include type 1 insulin-dependent, type 2 insulin-independent, gestational diabetes, and other less common types (e.g., MODY) [
1]. In addition, certain criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus are shown in Table
1 [
2]. Generally, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health concern that is steadily rising [
3]. For instance, an estimated 422 million adults with diabetes worldwide was reported in 2014 [
4]. Diabetes prevalence expanded from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014 in adults, with the greatest increase in low and middle-income countries compared to high-income nations [
5]. Additionally, 1.1 million children and adolescents aged 14–19 years have T1DM, as estimated by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and without interventions to stop the rise in diabetes, by 2045, there will be at least 629 million diabetic patients [
6]. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and it is associated with many systemic vascular complications, which can reduce the quality of life and result in social and economic burdens [
7‐
10]. Moreover, the financial cost of the healthcare of diabetes mellitus is another economic burden. For. Instance, in many countries, around 5–10% of the healthcare budget is assigned for the treatment of diabetes mellitus [
11].
Table 1
Summary of metformin uses and precautions
Type 2 DM in adults and children ≥ 10 years | Serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL for men and > 1.4 mg/dL for women | eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 |
Prediabetes ± BMI ≥ 35 kg per m2 | Vitamin B12 deficiency | |
Gestational diabetes | Intravenous contrast administration [ 12] | |
Vitamin B
12 deficiency is a significant concern in diabetic patients, particularly those treated with metformin. Several studies have highlighted the association between metformin use and vitamin B
12 deficiency in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus [
13‐
22]. The prevalence of vitamin B
12 deficiency in diabetic patients on metformin has been reported to be as high as 93% [
13]. Furthermore, the impact of vitamin B
12 deficiency on peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients has been a subject of investigation, with studies demonstrating an association between vitamin B
12 deficiency and peripheral neuropathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus [
14,
18,
19,
23]. Additionally, the prevalence of vitamin B
12 deficiency has been found to be higher in diabetic patients compared to the general population [
24]. This deficiency has also been linked to gastroparesis in patients with type 2 diabetes [
25]. Moreover, the prevalence of vitamin B
12 deficiency has been reported to be higher in individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes compared to those without these conditions [
26]. These findings underscore the importance of routine screening for vitamin B
12 deficiency and the potential need for supplementation among diabetic patients, especially those on metformin therapy [
27,
28]. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the association between metformin use and vitamin B
12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)[
15,
18]. Several studies have investigated the prevalence of vitamin B
12 deficiency and its associated factors among patients with T2DM who are on metformin [
20,
29‐
31]. Some studies have indicated a correlation between longer duration of metformin use and increased risk of vitamin B
12 deficiency [
15,
32,
33]. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting a link between metformin use and diabetic neuropathy [
18,
19,
21,
30]. The American Diabetes Association guidelines now recommend routine evaluation for vitamin B
12 deficiency in patients taking metformin [
19,
29]. It has been suggested that physicians should consider screening for vitamin B
12 deficiency in diabetic patients before starting metformin therapy, and periodic monitoring of vitamin B
12 levels has been recommended for all patients using metformin, particularly for those using the medication long-term [
21,
34]. Moreover, the potential role of vitamin B
12 deficiency in exacerbating conditions such as diabetic neuropathy and gastroparesis in patients with T2DM has been highlighted, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue in clinical management [
25]. The research on vitamin B
12 deficiency in diabetic patients treated with metformin underscores the need for increased awareness and monitoring of vitamin B
12 levels in this patient population. The evidence suggests a potential association between metformin use and vitamin B
12 deficiency, with implications for the management of diabetic patients. Hence, this review provides additional insights into the mechanisms underlying this association and guides the development of targeted interventions to mitigate the risk of vitamin B
12 deficiency in diabetic patients using metformin.