[Prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency in older adults].
BACKGROUND
There is a correlation between aging and the decrease of plasma levels of vitamin B-12.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency and its hematological impact among older adults (AM).


METHODS
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% and the figure for marginal deficiency was 25.4%. Males were more affected than females (p < 0.001). The frequency of anemia was 8.6%o, 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.
Sánchez
Hugo
H
Unidad de Salud Pública y Nutrición, Instituto Nutrición y Tecnología en Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. hsanchez@inta.cl
Albala
Cecilia
C
Herlramp F
Eva
E
Verdugo
Renato
R
Lavados
Manuel
M
Castillo
José Luis
JL
Lera
Lydia
L
Uauy
Ricardo
R
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*