Déficit de vitamina B-12 en adultos mayores: ¿Un problema de salud pública en Chile? / Prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency in older adults
Rev. méd. Chile
;
138(1): 44-52, ene. 2010. graf, tab
Article
in Spanish
| LILACS
| ID: lil-542046
ABSTRACT
Background:
There is a correlation between aging and the decrease of plasma levels of vitamin B-12.Aim:
To determine the prevalence of vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency and its hematological impact among older adults (AM). Material andMethods:
Cross-sectional study, in 1028 subjects aged 65 to 87years, living in community and evaluated between 2005 and 2008. Percentile distribution of vitamin B-12, folate, hemoglobin, packed red cell volume and mean cell volume by gender and age were analyzed. Deficiency was defined as vitamin B-12 levels < 148 pmol/L, marginal deficiency as vitamin B-12 levels < 221 pmol/L, anemia was defined as a hemoglobin < 13 and 12 g/dL among men and women, respectively.Results:
The prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency was 12 percent and the figure for marginal deficiency was 25.4 percent. Males were more affected than females (p < 0.001). The frequency of anemia was 8.6 percento, and was higher among women (p = 0.004).Conclusions:
There is a high prevalence of full blown and marginal deficit of vitamin B-12 among the elderly. This deficiency should be considered for correction through public nutrition policies.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Folic Acid Deficiency
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Chile
Language:
Spanish
Journal:
Rev. méd. Chile
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2010
Type:
Article
/
Project document
Affiliation country:
Chile
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidad de Chile/CL
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