title: Vitamin C status of elderly patients on admission into an assessment geriatric ward.
abstract: A study of the plasma vitamin C concentration in patients in an assessment geriatric ward was carried out for 1 year. The incidence of vitamin C deficiency, as reflected by the plasma vitamin C level was 40.1%. There was almost no difference in its prevalence amongst the sexes or various age groups, but the incidence of vitamin C deficiency was highest in patients admitted from institutions. Furthermore, this study also revealed that patients with certain illnesses were more vulnerable to vitamin C deficiency than other patients and the standard hospital diet alone was not sufficient to improve the vitamin C status of these patients in the short-term.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010343:Patient Admission
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid