Assessment of vitamin A, E, C and B2, carotenoid and zinc serum levels in elderly hospital patients

Authors

  • Hélio Vannucchi Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Departamento de Clínica Médica
  • Daniel Ferreira da Cunha Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro; Departamento de Clínica Médica; Disciplina de Nutrologia
  • Mônica M. Bernardes Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Departamento de Clínica Médica
  • Maria R. Del Lama Unamuno Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Departamento de Clínica Médica

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101994000200005

Keywords:

Zinc^i2^sbl, Vitamins^i2^sbl, Aged, Nutritional status

Abstract

Serum levels of carotenoids, zinc and vitamins A, E, C and B2 were measured in al (n = 202) the elderly patients hospitalized in different wards of the hospital studied from February 1986 to October 1988. The study was conducted on 130 men and 72 women with a mean age of 67.8 years (range: 60 to 88 years). The percentage of nutritional deficiency was 59.5% for zinc, 56.5% for vitamin C, 34.5% for vitamin B2, 25.9% for vitamin E, 13.2% for vitamin A, and 6.8% for carotenoids. Elderly patients with leucoses, megaesophagus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure represent a group with a high prevalence of deficiency both of zinc and of the vitamins under study. These results show the importance of detecting deficiencies of these micronutrients and provide a basis for a more rational approach to the treatment of elderly patients.

Published

1994-04-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Assessment of vitamin A, E, C and B2, carotenoid and zinc serum levels in elderly hospital patients . (1994). Revista De Saúde Pública, 28(2), 121-126. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101994000200005