Holo-transcobalamin is not associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in the general population

Abstract

Background & aims: Holo-Transcobalamin (holo-TC) is the biologically active form of vitamin B12, a vitamin essential in human metabolism. The association between vitamin B12 (total cobalamin) and mortality risk has been controversially reported, whereas the relation between holo-TC and survival is unknown. In a population-based sample (n = 862, female share 42.8%, median age 62.3 years), we related serum holo-TC to the risk of all-cause mortality.

Methods: We measured serum holo-TC by electro-chemiluminescence. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to quantify the association between serum holo-TC and all-cause mortality.

Results: Over a median follow-up time of 10.9 years, n = 99 individuals died. We did not find significant associations between serum holo-TC and the risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.00 [95% CI 0.97-1.03] per 5-point increment in holo-TC), neither in the overall sample, nor in subgroups stratified by sex, diabetes, or hypertension.

Conclusion: The biologically active form of vitamin B12, holo-TC, is not related to the risk of all-cause mortality in a moderate-sized sample from the general population.

Keywords: All-cause mortality; General population; Holo-transcobalamin; Vitamin B12.