Estimated prevalence and predictors of vitamin C deficiency within UK's low-income population.
BACKGROUND
Recent case reports of scurvy indicate that vitamin C deficiency may be more prevalent that generally assumed. The Low Income Diet and Nutrition Survey (2003-05) of a representative sample of the low-income/materially deprived UK population included a plasma vitamin C measurement.


METHODS
Adults aged >or=19 years from all countries/regions of UK were screened to identify low-income/materially deprived households. A valid plasma vitamin C measurement was made in 433 men and 876 women. The results were weighted for sampling probability and non-response.


RESULTS
An estimated 25% of men and 16% of women in the low-income/materially deprived population had plasma vitamin C concentrations indicative of deficiency (<11 micromol l(-1)), and a further fifth of the population had levels in the depleted range (11-28 micromol l(-1)). Being a man, reporting low-dietary vitamin C intake, not taking vitamin supplements and smoking were predictors of plasma vitamin C levels <or=28 micromol l(-1) in mutually adjusted logistic regression models.


CONCLUSIONS
Health professionals need to be aware that poor vitamin C status is relatively common among adults living on a low income.
Mosdøl
Annhild
A
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK.
Erens
Bob
B
Brunner
Eric J
EJ
D000328:Adult; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology