Pernicious Anaemia Top 10

  1. Can a more reliable and accurate test be developed to diagnose Pernicious Anaemia?
  2. Does an individual’s need for B12 treatment change over time or with life circumstances? What factors might affect this day to day (e.g. stress and exercise) and over a lifespan (e.g. aging, menopause)?
  3. What are the safest and most effective ways to give B12 to people with Pernicious Anaemia, tablets, sprays or injections, or a combination? Can better ways be developed?
  4. Why do some health professionals fail to take Pernicious Anaemia seriously? How can this be addressed beyond improving awareness and knowledge of Pernicious Anaemia?
  5. If the frequency, dose and timing of B12 injections were tailored to the individual and their symptoms, would this improve the health of people with Pernicious Anaemia?
  6. Why do people with Pernicious Anaemia need B12 injections at different time intervals?
  7. Why do some people with Pernicious Anaemia still experience symptoms after treatment with B12?
  8. If people with Pernicious Anaemia do not receive B12 treatment according to their needs, does this cause harm or irreversible damage?
  9. What should be included in a long-term, comprehensive treatment and care plan for people with Pernicious Anaemia?
  10. Is Pernicious Anaemia linked to other health conditions, in particular autoimmune conditions or digestive problems? Is there a common cause?

The following questions were also discussed and put in order of priority at the workshop:

  1. Which follow-up tests should be used routinely for people with Pernicious Anaemia to monitor their health?
  2. What are the long-term effects of B12 treatment for people with Pernicious Anaemia?
  3. How does Pernicious Anaemia affect gut function? Do people with Pernicious Anaemia have difficulty absorbing nutrients in addition to B12?
  4. Should people with Pernicious Anaemia undergo regular testing for other conditions, because of an increased risk of stomach cancer or other autoimmune conditions?
  5. What are the best ways to treat the nerve damage caused by Pernicious Anaemia?
  6. Is it safe and effective for people with Pernicious Anaemia to self-inject B12? What are the potential benefits for the individual and the NHS?

Document downloads

For full details of all of the questions identified by this PSP, please see the document below. 

xlsxPernicious Anaemia PSP final sheet of data (0.04 MB)