[Serum levels of vitamin A, E, C and B2, carotenoid and zinc in hospitalized elderly patients].
Serum levels of carotenoids, zinc and vitamins A, E, C and B2 were measured in al (n = 202) the elderly patients hospitalized in different wards of the hospital studied from February 1986 to October 1988. The study was conducted on 130 men and 72 women with a mean age of 67.8 years (range: 60 to 88 years). The percentage of nutritional deficiency was 59.5% for zinc, 56.5% for vitamin C, 34.5% for vitamin B2, 25.9% for vitamin E, 13.2% for vitamin A, and 6.8% for carotenoids. Elderly patients with leucoses, megaesophagus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure represent a group with a high prevalence of deficiency both of zinc and of the vitamins under study. These results show the importance of detecting deficiencies of these micronutrients and provide a basis for a more rational approach to the treatment of elderly patients.
Vannucchi
H
H
Departamento de Clínica Médica da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
da Cunha
D F
DF
Bernardes
M M
MM
Unamuno
M R
MR
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000097:blood; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D015032:Zinc; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D012256:Riboflavin
Avaliação dos níveis séricos das vitaminas A, E, C e B2, de carotenóides e zinco, em idosos hospitalizados.