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Table 1 Reasons for patient eligibility reported by physicians (N = 49*)

From: Oral vitamin B12 for patients suspected of subtle cobalamin deficiency: a multicentre pragmatic randomised controlled trial

Symptoms

Oral B12 (N = 26) N(%)

Placebo (N = 23*) N (%)

"Do you have a pins and needles feeling in your feet?" or "Do you have a compelling urge to move your legs in the evening or at night?"

10 (38%)

7 (30%)

"Have you recently felt unsteady when walking for reasons other than your rheumatism or after having an accident?"

5 (19%)

3 (13%)

"During the past month have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?" and "During the last month, have you often been bothered by having little interest or pleasure in doing things? [41]

7 (27%)

8 (35%)

"Did you feel that you were losing your memory or has someone mentioned this to you lately?"

5 (19%)

4 (17%)

"Has your character changed lately or has someone mentioned this to you?"

2 (8%)

3 (13%)

"Has it been more difficult for you to perform your usual activities, such as reading a book, watching TV, writing, paying bills, doing your housework, etc.?"

5 (19%)

6 (26%)

Anemia detected (blood formula)

4 (15%)

6 (26%)

Macrocystosis (blood formula)

4 (15%)

5 (21%)

  1. * One questionnaire was not returned by the physician.