Déficit de vitamina B-12 en adultos mayores: ¿Un problema de salud pública en Chile?

• HUGO SÁNCHEZ ^[1] ; CECILIA ALBALA ^[1] ; EVA HERTRAMPF ^[1] ; RENATO VERDUGO ^[1] ; MANUEL LAVADOS ^[1] ; JOSÉ LUIS CASTILLO ^[1] ; LYDIA LERA ^[1] ; RICARDO UAUY ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad de Chile

     Universidad de Chile

     Santiago, Chile

     
• Localización: Revista Médica de Chile, ISSN-e 0034-9887, Vol. 138, Nº. 1, 2010, págs. 44-52
• Idioma: español
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency in older adults
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• Resumen

  • Background: There is a correlation between aging and the decrease of plasma levels of vitamin B-12. Aim: To determine the prevalence of vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency and its hematological impact among older adults (AM). Material and 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.