Serum levels assessment of vitamin A, E, C, B2 and carotenoids in malnourished and non-malnourished hospitalized elderly patients
This study documents the presence of inadequate vitamin levels in recently admitted elderly patients >65 years of age, with low vitamin C and carotenoid levels occurring significantly more often in PEM patients than in non-PEM patients. Although the difference between the 2 groups for low levels of erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRAC), vitamin A, and vitamin E were not significant, up to 58.8% of patients did have serum values that were considered low. Although conducted outside the United States, the study establishes the need to consider reduced nutritional and vitamin status in recently hospitalized elderly patients.
References
Ferreira da Cunha D, Freire de Carvalho da Cunha S, Do Rosario del Lama Unamuno M, Vannucchi H. Serum levels assessment of vitamin A, E, C, B2 and carotenoids in malnourished and non-malnourished hospitalized elderly patients. Clin Nutr. 2001;20:167-170.
