title: Nutrition-dependent eicosapentaenoic acid deficiency in care house residents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have identified that vital prognosis of adults in a group home (GH) in their mid-80s is associated with lower eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels. We investigated the cause of EPA deficiency in residents in a GH and the effect of EPA treatment on cardiac function and nutritional function in 130 older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared blood chemistry data among three age- and sex-matched groups-outpatient clinic (OPC) attendees (n = 54, 87 ± 5 y old), GH residents (n = 40, 85 ± 8 y old), and older adults in a geriatric welfare home for the elderly (GWHE) (n = 36, 87 ± 6 y old)-using non-parametric test. Furthermore, we investigated the sequential changes in blood chemistry and cardiac function at 4 to 12 mo after the initiation of EPA administration (1800 mg/d).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Non-parametric test revealed that the EPA/arachidonic acid ratio as well as EPA levels were lower in the GH and GWHE residents than in the OPC attendees (OPC: 0.56 ± 0.3, GH: 0.23 ± 0.12, GWHE: 0.31 ± 0.1). Fish consumption was lower in the GH and GWHE group than in the OPC group. Repeated measured analyses using analysis of variance revealed that EPA administration increased serum EPA levels (54.0 ± 29.0 to 210.5 ± 50.6 μg/mL, P < 0.001); decreased arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, triacylglycerol, and LDL cholesterol levels at 4.5 ± 3.4 mo after administration; and reduced the severity of supraventricular arrhythmias on ambulatory electrocardiogram at 12.5 ± 4.5 mo (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPA deficiency in GH residents could be related to the nutritional characteristics of older adults in care facilities. EPA treatment induced changes in various lipids and reduced the severity of supraventricular arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Kikue
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Todoroki
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshimori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ikeya
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Sayato
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukui
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Chiharu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Kaori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sekine
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shizuma
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fukuyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan. Electronic address: coronary@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hidezo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mori
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016352:Group Homes; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000187:drug effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
keywords: Cardiac function; EPA administration; Fish consumption; Group home; Older adults; Supraventricular arrhythmias