Concentrations of Intra-erythrocyte Folate, Serum Vitamin B12, and Hemoglobin in Women of Childbearing Age and Associated Factors.

Objective: The aim was to verify the relations among intra-erythrocyte folate, serum vitamin B12, and hemoglobin concentrations in women of childbearing age and their association with several socioeconomic and demographic variables, nutritional status, and food consumption in the city of Recife, Northeastern Brazil.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1,210 women of childbearing age from the city of Recife. Concentrations of serum vitamin B12 and intra-erythrocyte folate were analyzed by immunoassay and hemoglobin concentrations by automated determination. A questionnaire was used to collect socioeconomic and demographic data of nutritional status and a food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate food consumption.Results: Reductions in hemoglobin concentrations were found in 141 women (12.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 10.3-13.9), serum vitamin B12 in 81 women (7.0%; 95% CI, 5.7-8.6), and only 1 woman had a reduction in intra-erythrocyte folate concentrations. No women had a concomitant reduction of intra-erythrocyte folate, serum vitamin B12, and hemoglobin concentrations. However, 13 women (1.1%; 95% CI, 0.6-1.9) had a concomitant deficiency of hemoglobin and vitamin B12. Intra-erythrocyte folate concentrations were higher in women of a higher age and income. Hemoglobin concentrations were lower in smokers, and serum vitamin B12 concentrations did not show a significant variation in relation to socioeconomic, demographic, and anthropometric parameters. There was no strong correlation between food consumption and biochemical concentrations evaluated.Conclusion: Despite the strategies to eradicate anemia, this nutritional deficiency was dominant. Serum vitamin B12 deficiency outpacing intra-erythrocyte folate is worrying due to the lack of programs to fight against vitamin B12 insufficiency. Age and income were directly related to intra-erythrocyte folate concentrations. Food consumption suggests that there is a homeostatic control to maintain equilibrium at biochemical concentrations.

Relationship between hemoglobin, serum retinol and habitual meat consumption in the elderly: a population-based study.

Considering the scarcity of data on the relationship between hemoglobin, serum retinol and habitual meat consumption in the elderly, a cross-sectional population-based study was performed, which was representative of the population of a state capital in Northeastern Brazil, including 176 elderly aged between 60 and 90 years, who responded to questionnaires about habitual food consumption and socioeconomic aspects. Blood counts and serum retinol analyses were carried out. The prevalence of anemia was 9.58%, and 96% of elderly showing adequate serum retinol levels. The consumption of vitamin A and iron was adequate in 93.75% and 85%, respectively. There was no correlation between serum retinol and hemoglobin values (p=0.56), and as expected, there was a positive association between meat consumption and hemoglobin (p=0.02). Based on results obtained in this study, it was concluded that the maintenance of adequate vitamin A and meat intake in this population should be encouraged, which appears to be an effective intervention strategy to achieve appropriate serum retinol and hemoglobin values, and hence lower iron deficiency anemia rates.

Relation between glucose levels, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), body mass index (BMI) and serum and dietary retinol in elderly in population-based study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between fasting glucose levels, hs-CRP, BMI and serum retinol and diet in elderly people. For this study, a cross-sectional, epidemiological, population-based format was adopted. One hundred and sixty-three individuals between 60 and 90 years of age participated; the participants were from different socioeconomic and health backgrounds, except for the individuals diagnosed with diabetes. Most subjects had serum concentrations in the reference ranges for all variables. There was not a significant relationship between fasting glucose and serum retinol or diet. There was a significant correlation between hs-CRP and BMI (r=0.22, p=0.0082) and hs-CRP and total calorie intake (p=0.0091), which reinforces the notion that an increased intake of calories results in being overweight and/or obese. Considering the importance of vitamin A in various physiological processes, more studies on these relationships are necessary to establish a recommendation of vitamin A for the treatment and prevention of changes in fasting glucose and obesity in the elderly population.