Vitamin C status of an outpatient population.
OBJECTIVE
To determined the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency (plasma vitamin C concentrations less than 11.4 mumol/L) and vitamin C depletion (plasma vitamin C concentrations from 11.4 to less than 28.4 mumol/L) in an outpatient population.


METHODS
A consecutive sample of patients presenting at a health maintenance organization laboratory for outpatient procedures was utilized. Plasma vitamin C concentrations were determined in 350 females and 144 males, aged 6 to 92 years (mean +/- SD: 46.7 +/- 18.7 years).


RESULTS
The mean plasma vitamin C concentration for all subjects was 32.4 +/- 13.6 mumol/L. Mean plasma vitamin C did not vary by sex, race, or fasted state. Diabetics had a significantly lower mean plasma vitamin C concentration (25.6 +/- 10.8 mumol/L) compared to patients presenting for general check-up/gynecological exams (33.5 +/- 14.8 mumol/L) or pregnancy exams (32.4 +/- 9.7 mumol/L). Six percent of subjects had plasma vitamin C concentrations indicative of vitamin C deficiency (n = 31), and 30.4% of the sample were vitamin C depleted (n = 150). The prevalence of vitamin C deficiency or vitamin C depletion did not differ by race or visit category.


CONCLUSIONS
Surprisingly high rates of vitamin C deficiency and vitamin C depletion were evident among generally healthy, middle class patients visiting a health care facility for routine health exams, gynecological exams, and pregnancy exams.
Department of Family Resources and Human Development, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-2502, USA.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D011247:Pregnancy
D001205:Ascorbic Acid