Depression, Hematologic Parameters, and Blood Levels of Vitamin B₁₂ in Patients With Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Under Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate and correlate hematologic indices, vitamin B₁₂ levels, and depression in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) treated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Methods: This was a prospective study with a population (n = 23) consisted of patients with suspected LPR and treated with 2 daily doses of Omeprazole 40 mg (80 mg or full dose). The study volunteers performed a complete blood count and vitamin B₁₂ dosage before and after 3 and 6 months of treatment, as well as depression screening using the Center of Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) questionnaire before and after 6 months of treatment. Scores greater than 16 were considered as suggestive of depression.

Results: The mean score on the CES-D scale of study participants at baseline significantly decreased after 6 months of treatment. A significant decrease was observed in the red blood cells count (RBC) after 6 months in relation to 3 months. Significant increases in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were observed from 3 months to 6 months in this study. Vitamin B₁₂ levels increased significantly between baseline and after 6 months of treatment.

Conclusion: Decreased scores on the CES-D scale were associated with increased MCV values, with no association with vitamin B₁₂ levels. However, vitamin B₁₂ levels also increased significantly after 6 months of treatment with PPI.