Serum ferritin and nutritional status in older adults at eldercare facilities.
OBJECTIVE
To identify serum ferritin levels and their association with nutritional status determined by Body Mass Index in older adults at four eldercare facilities.


METHODS
An exploratory, cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 older adults residing at eldercare facilities in Colima, Mexico. Association between blood serum ferritin levels and nutritional status determined by Body Mass Index was evaluated. Ferritin levels were determined by means of chemiluminescence of blood samples obtained from subjects under control conditions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic characteristics. Student's t test and chi-square test were used to compare ferritin levels and Body Mass Index, respectively, between sexes. Statistical significance was considered to exist when P≤ 0.05. Pearson's correlation was used to establish the relation between Body Mass Index and serum ferritin levels.


RESULTS
Mean serum ferritin levels were 59.9489 ng/mL in women and 86.9266 ng/mL in men (P= 0.12). In regard to Body Mass Index there was statistical significance between normal vs overweight/obesity (P = 0.008), but not between normal vs underweight (P = 0.34). Body Mass Index/serum ferritin correlation was not statistically significant (Pearson's r = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
The quantification of a single serum indicator is insufficient for determining nutritional status in the older adult.
Faculty of Nursing of the University of Colima. Av. Universidad # 333, Colonialas Víboras, C.P. 28040, Colima, Colima, México. rayvel@ucol.mx
R
R
Velasco-Rodriguez
M G
MG
Perez-Hernandez
A B
AB
Mora-Brambila
D A
DA
Bazan-Arellano
C
C
Vasquez
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013851:Thinness / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D005293:Ferritins