Patients who had their stomach removed showed a 30 percent higher risk of dementia than control groups. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent study has shown that if the stomach is surgically removed due to stomach cancer, the risk of developing dementia increases.
A research team from Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University made the announcement after comparing patients who underwent stomach cancer surgery between 2007 and 2012 with the general public.
During this period, a total of 63,998 patients over 50 years of age who were diagnosed with stomach cancer were analyzed. Of the total patients, 12,825 patients had their stomach removed.
According to the research team, patients who had their stomach removed showed a 30 percent higher risk of dementia than control groups.
The increase was blamed on vitamin B12 deficiency, one of the causes of dementia.
The stomach is secreted with internal factors that help absorb vitamin B12, and when the stomach is removed, the function of absorbing vitamin B12 disappeared.
In general, vitamin B12 deficiency is estimated to be linked to dementia. However, vitamin B12 deficiency in stomach cancer patients is easy to overlook.
Meanwhile, the risk of developing dementia was also significantly different depending on whether vitamin B12 was supplemented after stomach cancer resection.
If vitamin B12 was not replenished at all or supplemented within three years of surgery, the risk of developing dementia in stomach cancer patients was twice as high compared to a common control group under the same conditions as an individual who had their stomach removed.
On the other hand, the research team explained that patients who consistently supplemented vitamin B12 had a 29 percent lower risk of developing dementia than ordinary people.
“Vitamin B12 deficiency stands out about three years after undergoing stomach excision,” said Prof. Choi Yoon-jin at Seoul National University who conducted the study.
“If you don’t know about it, you should be careful as you live with factors that can cause dementia.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
