Korean Leprosy Bulletin  2008;41(2):17-22

Hydoroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) Effects on Nerve Function Impairments in Leprosy.

Kyung Duk LEE 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Leprosy; Nerve function impairment; Neuralgia; Tremor; Hydroxocobalamin(Vitamin B12)

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

95 patients in Sorokdo national hospital injected 1-5mg Hydroxocobalamin (5mg/2ml/1ample) in 5-7 days/week, duration 6.4 months, average age 71.6 years old. Effects are 1) softening of hand movement(22/95), early effect, 2) improving of motor function (8/95) 3) sensory function(8/95) 4) sweating (3/95) 5) neuropathic pain and headache(neuralgia-like) (7/95) 6) jaw and hand tremor (7/95) 7) no response (41/95) 8) side effect (1/95) Leprosy is demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, Vitamin B12 effects on myelin, but unkown it's mechnism. Vitamin B12 improve nerve function impairments in leprosy, especially neuropathic pain and tremor, which lead to deformities and disabilities.