SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Serum Folate Level”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 901 records · Page 50Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Homocysteine as a risk factor for cognitive impairment in stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels are associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease. It is uncertain whether tHcy is also an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment. METHODS: We examined 95 stroke subjects 3 months after their strokes, and 55 healthy comparison subjects, with a detailed neuropsychological assessment, and MRI brain scans in a proportion (n = 97). Baseline measurements of tHcy, serum folate and B(12), creatinine and plasma fibrinogen levels were obtained. RESULTS: tHcy levels were higher in the stroke subjects by a mean 34%. These levels were significantly correlated with the first factor of a principal component analysis of the neuropsychological data, after controlling for age, folate, B(12) and creatinine levels. The correlation of Hcy levels was particularly significant with frontal-executive functioning and attention. tHcy levels were significantly correlated with number of infarcts and total stroke volume in the stroke group, but not with T(2)-weighted deep white matter hyperintensity scores, after correction for age. In the control group, tHcy levels were significantly correlated with ventricle-to-brain ratios as measures of brain atrophy. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that high tHcy levels are associated with cognitive impairment, in particular that of frontal-executive function. The major component of this association is accounted for by small and large strokes, but non-vascular neurotoxic effects of tHcy also appear to play a role. tHcy must receive greater attention as a risk factor for cognitive impairment.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Plasma homocyst(e)ine concentrations and the risk of subtypes of cerebral infarction. The Hisayama study.

Moderately elevated plasma total homocyst(e)ine (tHcy) levels have been linked with cardiovascular disease. However, the findings of previous studies regarding the relationship between tHcy levels and subtypes of cerebral infarction (CI) have been conflicting. The aim of the present study was to examine this issue in a community-based case-control study performed in Hisayama Town in Japan. Fasting tHcy levels were compared among 75 CI cases, of which 43 were lacunar (LI), 24 atherothrombotic (ATI) and 8 cardioembolic infarctions (CEI), and 248 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The mean tHcy concentrations were higher in CI than in controls (13.0 vs. 11.8 micromol/l; p = 0.018). LI and CEI also had significantly higher tHcy levels than did the corresponding controls (12.3 vs. 11.3 micromol/l for LI; p = 0.037 and 16.3 vs. 12.7 micromol/l for CEI; p = 0.036). The same tendency was also observed for ATI, but the difference was only marginally significant probably due to the small number of the cases (13.4 vs. 11.9 micromol/l; p = 0.087). After adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, serum creatinine, total protein, folate and vitamin B(12) levels, the risk of LI was not significant in the second tertile of the tHcy distribution, but significantly increased in the third compared with the first tertile (adjusted odds ratio, AOR, 3.4; 95% confidence limits, CL, 1.3-8.9; p = 0.015), while the risk of ATI was significant even in the second tertile (AOR, 5.0; 95% CL, 1.0-23.7; p = 0.042) and higher in the third tertile (AOR, 7.5; 95% CL, 1.5-38.3; p = 0.015). However, the odds ratios for CEI could not be estimated, as there was no case of CEI in the first tertile. These findings suggest that elevated tHcy is an independent risk factor for all subtypes of CI, but that its impact is higher in ATI and probably in CEI than in LI.

Aged↗

PubMed1986

Serum folates in gestating swine after folic acid addition to diet.

Folic acid was added to the diet as a simple means to increase serum folates in gestating sows. At weaning, 95 multiparous sows were randomly assigned to five treatments. Of these sows, 67 farrowed and were used for this trial. Three supplementation levels of folic acid added to a commercial diet at 3, 9 and 27 mg per kg were studied. A commercial diet without any supplementation of folic acid was used as a control treatment. A fifth treatment consisted of eight im injections of 15 mg of folic acid each, according to a predetermined schedule that was previously effective in improving the reproductive performance of sows when combined with flushing. Each sow was kept in an individual cage and received 2 kg of feed daily. Serum folates were measured at weaning, mating and on d 14, 28, 42 and 56 after mating. The time-response curve of serum folates in sows injected with folic acid was higher than that of sows fed the unsupplemented diet (P = .057). Adding folic acid to diet may be as efficient as folic acid injections to elevate serum folates when compared with sows fed the control diet. The mean supplementary level of folic acid sufficient to maintain the serum folate concentration at approximately the same levels as those observed in sows injected with folic acid was estimated to be near 4.3 mg per kg of feed.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Plasma levels of the atherogenic amino acid homocysteine in post-menopausal women with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen.

Long-term treatment of breast-cancer patients with the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen has been found to be associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality. Plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic disease, and its level is determined by folate and cobalamin status, and possibly also by oestrogen status. We measured the effect of tamoxifen on plasma homocysteine, serum cholesterol, serum cobalamin and serum and erythrocyte folate in 31 post-menopausal women with breast cancer. The plasma homocysteine level was decreased by a mean value of 29.8% after 9-12 months and by 24.5% after 13-18 months of treatment. Tamoxifen suppressed serum cholesterol by mean values varying between 7.2% and 17.6% after 3 to 19 months of treatment. There was no correlation between changes in plasma homocysteine and serum cholesterol. These findings suggest that the homocysteine-lowering effect of tamoxifen may contribute to the reduction of cardiovascular mortality observed in patients on adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Psychiatric manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency: a case report].

Psychiatric manifestations are frequently associated with pernicious anemia including depression, mania, psychosis, dementia. We report a case of a patient with vitamin B12 deficiency, who has presented severe depression with delusion and Capgras' syndrome, delusion with lability of mood and hypomania successively, during a period of two Months. Case report - Mme V., a 64-Year-old woman, was admitted to the hospital because of confusion. She had no history of psychiatric problems. She had history of diabetes, hypertension and femoral prosthesis. The red blood count revealed a normocytosis with anemia (hemoglobin=11,4 g/dl). At admission she was uncooperative, disoriented in time and presented memory and attention impairment and sleep disorders. She seemed sad and older than her real age. Facial expression and spontaneous movements were reduced, her speech and movements were very slow. She had depressed mood, guilt complex, incurability and devaluation impressions. She had a Capgras' syndrome and delusion of persecution. Her neurologic examination, cerebral scanner and EEG were postponed because of uncooperation. Further investigations confirmed anemia (hemoglobin=11,4 g/dl) and revealed vitamin B12 deficiency (52 pmol/l) and normal folate level. Antibodies to parietal cells were positive in the serum and antibodies to intrinsic factor were negative. An iron deficiency was associated (serum iron=7 micromol/l; serum ferritin concentration=24 mg/l; serum transferrin concentration=3,16 g/l). This association explained normocytocis anemia. Thyroid function, hepatic and renal tests, glycemia, TP, TCA, VS, VDRL-TPHA were normal. Vitamin B12 replacement therapy was started with hydroxycobalamin 1 000 ng/day im for 10 days and iron replacement therapy. Her mental state improved dramatically within a few days. After one week of treatment the only remaining symptoms were lability of mood, delusion of persecution, Capgras' syndrome but disappeared totally 9 days after the beginning of the treatment. A neurologic examination was possible because of cooperation. All the tendon reflexes of inferior members were absent. The plantars were in flexion and there was a left inferior member hypoesthesia. The cerebral scan and EEG were normal. Fundic biopsy, realized by fibroscopy, revealed fundic atrophia and intestinal metaplasia compatible with Biermers' disease. The iron deficiency exploration concluded diet deficiency. Mme V. appeared euphoric, her speech was very rapid with play on words and overactivity. This hypomania state totally disappeared 3 days after. Six Months after her hospitalisation, she presented an hypothyroidism (TSH=3,780; T3=1,35; T4=1,08). A thyroid hormones replacement was started and she continued to receive Monthly B12 replacement. Discussion - This case report illustrates psychiatric manifestations of Biermers' disease. The clinical arguments in favour are: white woman, more than 60 Years old, no history of psychiatric problems, atypical symptoms (confusional state with psychiatric symptoms), fluctuation of symptoms (severe depression with confusional state, delusion of persecution and Capgras' syndrome; delusion with lability of mood and hypomania), dramatic improvement after 9 days of vitamin B12 replacement therapy. The biological arguments are: anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, normal folate level, atrophia and fundic metaplasia, positive antibodies to parietal cells in the serum, association between Biermers' disease and autoimmune disease (Haschimoto thyroidite). Psychiatric manifestations can occur in the presence of low serum B12 levels but in the absence of the other well recognized neurological and haematological abnormalities of pernicious anemia. Mental or psychological changes may precede haematological signs by Months or Years. They can be the initial symptoms or the only ones. Verbank et al. described the case of a patient with vitamin B12 deficiency in whom hypomania, paranoia and depression had been successively presented during a period of 5 Years before anemia have been developed. The case of Mme V. is similar in the succession of severe depression with delusion of persecution and Capgras' syndrome, delusion with lability of mood and hypomania, during a period of two Months. This report seems to be the first one of a sequence of several psychiatric states with pernicious anemia during a period of two Months with normocytosis anemia. To illustrate this illness we reviewed the literature regarding psychopathology associated with B12 deficiency. The most common psychiatric symptoms were depression, mania, psychotic symptoms, cognitive impairment and obsessive compulsive disorder. The neuropsychiatric severity by vitamin B12 deficiency and the therapeutic efficacy depends on the duration of signs and symptoms. Conclusion - We recommend consideration of B12 deficiency and serum B12 determinations in all the patients with organic mental disorders, atypical psychiatric symptoms and fluctuation of symptomatology. B12 levels should be evaluated with treatment resistant depressive disorders, dementia, psychosis or risk factors for malnutrition such as alcoholism or advancing age associated with neurological symptoms, anemia, malabsorption, gastrointestinal surgery, parasite infestation or strict vegetarian diet. In first intention, B12 deficiency should be researched by serum B12 determination (normal 200-950 pg/ml). Studies of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine showed that they are very sensitive functional indicators of cobalamin status especially when other evidence of cobalamin (B12) deficiency was equivocal. Measurement of methylmalonic acid (normal 73-271 nmol/l) and homocysteine (normal 5,4-13,9 micromol/l) should not replace the measurement of serum cobalamin.

Depression↗

PubMed1976

Vitamin deficiencies and neural tube defects.

Serum folate, red cell folate, white blood cell vitamin C, riboflavin saturation index, and serum vitamin A were determined during the first trimester of pregnancy in over 900 cases. For each of these there was a social classes I + II showed the highest levels which differed significantly from other classes, except for serum folate. In 6 mothers who gave birth to infants with neural tube defects, first trimester serum folate, red cell folate, white blood cell vitamin C, and riboflavin values were lower than in controls. In spite of small numbers the differences were significant for red cell folate (P less than 0-001) and white blood cell vitamin C (P less than 0-05). These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that nutritional deficiencies are significant in the causation of congenital defects of the neural tube in man.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Serum homocysteine in routine evaluation of potential vitamin B12 and folate deficiency.

Total serum homocysteine (Hcy) was measured in patients with either low serum folate, low serum vitamin B12 (B12), or potential metabolic defects, in order to evaluate Hcy as an indicator of the tissue status of the two vitamins. An increased Hcy supported the diagnosis of frank tissue deficiency in those patients in whom tissue deficiency was evident by other means. A Hcy within the reference interval enabled the clinician to identify those patients whose low serum vitamin level and symptoms did not reflect a tissue deficiency of B12 or folate of clinical consequence. Children with inherited disturbances of B12 metabolism, and whose serum B12 was within the reference interval, were correctly identified by an increased Hcy. A declining Hcy was evidence of correction of a deficiency even when other laboratory or clinical measurements of a response were obscured.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Effects of short-term treatment with metformin on serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Metformin is a key treatment option in type 2 diabetes. However, metformin may decrease vitamin B12 levels and increase levels of homocysteine, a cardiovascular risk factor. We investigated whether 16 weeks of treatment with metformin affects serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin. DESIGN: Placebo-controlled, randomized trial. MEASUREMENTS: at baseline and 16 weeks later. SETTING: This trial was conducted in the outpatient clinics of three general hospitals in The Netherlands. SUBJECTS: A total of 745 patients with type 2 diabetes, treated with insulin and not known with a contraindication for the use of metformin, were approached; 390 gave informed consent and entered the study. Thirty-seven subjects dropped out (12 placebo and 25 metformin users). INTERVENTION: Addition of metformin or placebo to insulin therapy. PRIMARY OUTCOME PARAMETERS: Serum homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12, indices of glycaemic control and body weight. RESULTS: Amongst those who completed 16 weeks of treatment, metformin use, as compared with placebo, was associated with an increase in homocysteine of 4% (0.2 to 8; P=0.039) and with decreases in folate [-7% (-1.4 to -13); P=0.024] and vitamin B12 [-14% (-4.2 to -24); P<0.0001]. In addition, the increase in homocysteine could be explained by the decreases in folate and vitamin B12. CONCLUSION: In patients with type 2 diabetes, 16 weeks of treatment with metformin reduces levels of folate and vitamin B12, which results in a modest increase in homocysteine. The clinical significance of these findings remains to be investigated.

Adult↗

PubMed1966

Correlation of peripheral white cell and bone marrow changes with folate levels in pregnancy and their clinical significance.

Two hundred and thirty-eight ;megaloblastic' pregnancies are reviewed. Bone-marrow aspiration was performed in every case. Serum folate estimations were strongly suggestive of folic acid deficiency in only 34% of cases. If, however, the red cell folate was determined as well, there was an almost complete agreement with the changes in the erythroblasts. It is suggested that hyper-segmentation of the neutrophils in association with a diminished red cell folate level is indicative of significant folic acid deficiency. This series possibly shows a slight but statistically insignificant increase of accidental haemorrhage. No effect on birth weight or incidence of stillbirth was demonstrable.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Elevation of serum hepatic aminotransferases during treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with low-dose methotrexate. Risk factors and response to folic acid.

Sixty-six rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were analyzed retrospectively to assess the incidence and risk factors for elevation of serum hepatic aminotransferases during methotrexate (MTX) therapy. The effect of folate supplementation on serum ALT and RA activity was evaluated prospectively in 14 patients who showed a sustained high serum level of ALT. The frequency of elevation of serum AST or ALT was 4-5 times greater than in patients taking other DMARDs. Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that elevation of ALT was independently associated with sex (female), obesity, baseline ALT, MTX dose, and gastrointestinal side effects. Folate supplementation caused ALT levels to decrease in all patients within 3 months. Eleven patients showed no change of RA activity, but 3 patients dropped out of the study because of the exacerbation of RA. These results suggest that careful monitoring of serum hepatic aminotransferases is necessary in patients with predisposing factors, especially those receiving more than 0.15 mg/kg of MTX weekly. Folate supplementation can reverse the sustained elevation of ALT, but might cause exacerbation of RA in some patients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma homocysteine levels in renal transplant patients on tacrolimus therapy.

Increased plasma total homocysteine levels afford an independent risk factor to assess cardiovascular morbidity in patients with normal and impaired renal function, including stable transplant recipients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate plasma homocysteine levels and factors known to influence homocysteine metabolism (folate and Vitamin B(12)) in renal transplanted patients treated with tacrolimus. Plasma homocysteine, serum folate and serum vitamin B(12) concentrations were measured in 18 cadaveric renal transplant patients with stable function both before and 3 months after the renal transplantation. While the mean plasma homocysteine level in the renal transplant group was significantly higher than in the control group, no significant change was observed following renal transplantation under tacrolimus therapy (16.84 +/- 6.43 micromol/L vs 16.02 +/- 6.54 micromol/L). The levels of folate before and after transplantation were considerably lower than the control group; a significant effect of tacrolimus has not been observed (7.32 +/- 4.68 ng/mL and 7.55 +/- 5.20 ng/mL). Serum vitamin B(12) levels in the transplant group were significantly lower than the control group; a significant decline was seen 3 months after the renal transplantation (448.94 +/- 230.03 pg/mL vs 334.38 +/- 240.61 pg/mL). Consequently, although plasma homocysteine levels of renal transplant recipients are higher, a lowering effect of tacrolimus therapy was not observed on plasma homocysteine levels. The lower levels of folate and Vitamin B(12) in the transplant group compared to a control group supports therapy with folate and Vitamin B(12) to decrease homocysteine concentrations.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Nutritional status and psychometric test scores in cognitively impaired elders.

In a pilot study, we compared dietary and biochemical status for vitamin B1, B2, B12, and C and folate, iron, and protein in CI and CN elders grouped by MMSE scores. Biochemical evaluation of folate and B12 status was continued beyond the preliminary study. Intakes of all nutrients except folate exceeded 66% of the RDA. There were no significant differences among MMSE groups for dietary intake or biochemical values. Transketolase activity increased with degree of impairment, whereas measures for the other vitamins declined. Low or deficient LAA levels were found in 33% of all elders. Folate and B12 deficiencies, respectively, were found in 11% (12/109) and 4% (10/254) of the population. Very low values for serum B12 (less than 250 pg/ml) existed in 15% (37/254) of the subjects (31 CI; 7 CN). Moderately impaired elders (MMSE = 15-20) who used multivitamin supplements had RBC folate (p less than .003) and serum B12 (p less than .02) levels higher than those of subjects who did not use supplements.

Aged↗

PubMed2007

Associations between homocysteine, bone turnover, BMD, mortality, and fracture risk in elderly women.

UNLABELLED: Homocysteine has been suggested to be a risk factor for fracture, but the causal relationship is not clear. In 996 women from the OPRA study, high homocysteine level was associated with high bone marker levels and low BMD at baseline. During a mean 7-year follow-up, high homocysteine level was associated with mortality, but no clear association to fracture risk existed. INTRODUCTION: Recently, the association between high serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels and an increased risk of fracture has been described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hcy levels were measured at baseline in 996 women, all 75 years old. Vitamin B(12), folate, serum cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), serum TRACP5b, serum osteocalcin, urine deoxypyridinoline, PTH, areal BMD (aBMD), calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS), and physical performance were assessed at baseline. Fractures and mortality were recorded during a mean follow-up of 7.0 years. RESULTS: Bone marker levels were higher in women with Hcy in the highest quartile compared with all other women (p < 0.05). The most evident correlation between Hcy and a bone marker was seen with CTX (r = 0.19, p < 0.001). aBMD (hip) was 4% lower, QUS was up to 2% lower, and gait speed was 11% slower among women with Hcy in the highest quartile compared with the other women (p < 0.05). During the follow-up, 267 women sustained at least one low-energy fracture (including 69 hip fractures). When women in the highest Hcy quartile were compared with all other women, the hazard ratios (HRs) for sustaining any type of fracture was 1.18 (95% CI, 0.89-1.36) and for hip fracture was 1.50 (95% CI, 0.91-1.94). For the same group of women, the mortality risk was 2.16 (95% CI, 1.58-2.55). Adjustments for confounders did not substantially change these associations. Adjustment for PTH increased the HR for hip fracture to 1.67 (95% CI, 1.01-2.17). Low vitamin B(12) or folate was not associated with increased fracture risk or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: High Hcy levels were associated with higher bone turnover, poor physical performance, and lower BMD. There was no clear association to fracture risk. The increased mortality among women with high Hcy levels indicates that a high Hcy level may be a marker of frailty.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Effects of serum vitamin B12 and folate status on episodic memory performance in very old age: a population-based study.

We examined the relationship between low levels of serum vitamin B12 (< 200 pmol/L) and folic acid (< 11 nmol/L), separately or combined, and episodic memory performance in very old age. Participants with low serum vitamin values were compared with a control group matched for age and educational level. Participants (N = 250) were selected from a group of nondemented, community-dwelling persons ages 75-96. Episodic memory was tested by means of free recall and recognition of slowly and rapidly presented words. Results indicated a deterioration in both free recall and recognition as a function of serum vitamin status. However, no linear effects of vitamin levels on memory were observed, indicating that vitamin B12 and folic acid status may effect memory only among individuals at the low end of the distribution. We speculate that the vitamin-related memory deficit may reflect encoding problems, possibly due to alterations in brain metabolism.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Lipid, glucose and homocysteine metabolism in women treated with a GnRH agonist with or without raloxifene.

BACKGROUND: Although GnRH analogues are widely used to treat a variety of sex hormone-related diseases, little is known about their effect on metabolism. Therefore, we have evaluated the effect of a GnRH analogue, administered with or without raloxifene, on serum levels of lipoproteins, glucose, insulin and homocysteine (Hcy). METHODS: One hundred premenopausal women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas were initially enrolled and randomized to receive 3.75 mg/28 days leuprolide acetate depot associated with 60 mg/day raloxifene hydrochloride (group A) or 1 placebo tablet/day (group B) for six cycles of 28 days. At entry and at cycle 6, subjects underwent anthropometric measurements, including body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio measurements, and blood chemistry assays for serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glucose, insulin, Hcy, vitamin B(12) and folate concentrations. Insulin resistance was evaluated with the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score. RESULTS: Baseline parameters were similar in the two groups. At cycle 6, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and TG levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in group B. In group A, LDL-C levels were unchanged, and TC, HDL-C and TG levels were increased (P < 0.05). Serum TC and LDL-C levels differed (P < 0.05) between the groups. Glucose levels were unchanged between and within groups, whereas insulin levels and HOMA scores increased (P < 0.05) versus baseline in group B. Post-treatment Hcy levels were higher (P < 0.05) versus baseline in group B; they were unchanged in group A. Serum vitamin B(12) and folate concentrations were unchanged in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: GnRH analogues alter serum lipoprotein and Hcy levels and increase insulin resistance. These acute metabolic changes may be prevented or reduced by raloxifene.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Nonsyndromic orofacial clefts: association with maternal hyperhomocysteinemia.

Maternal folic acid supplementation has been suggested to play a role in the prevention of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts, i.e., cleft lip +/- cleft palate. Using a case-control design, we investigated vitamin-dependent homocysteine metabolism in 35 mothers with nonsyndromic orofacial cleft offspring and 56 control mothers with nonmalformed offspring. A standardized oral methionine loading test was performed, in which fasting and afterload plasma total homocysteine, serum and red-cell folate, serum vitamin B12, and whole-blood vitamin B6 levels were determined. We found that both fasting (P < 0.01) as well as afterload (P < 0.05) homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in cases compared to controls. Hyperhomocysteinemia, defined by a fasting and/or afterload homocysteine concentration above the 97.5th percentile, was present in 15.6% of the cases and in 3.6% of controls (odds ratio, 5.3 (1.1-24.2)). The median concentrations of serum (P < 0. 01) and red-cell (P < 0.05) folate were significantly higher, and vitamin B6 concentrations appeared to be significantly lower (P < 0. 05), in cases compared with controls. No significant difference was observed between groups for vitamin B12. These preliminary data offer evidence that maternal hyperhomocysteinemia may be a risk factor for having nonsyndromic orofacial cleft offspring.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Folate status in pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong.

Hematologic and folate studies were carried out in 116 pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong. Mean serum folate values fell progressively with pregnancy reaching subnormal levels during the puerperium. Mean red-cell folate values remained normal or high throughout, but showed a significant fall after delivery in women who carried out breast-feeding. Individually, 18 women showed hematologic abnormalities compatible with folate deficiency, but only four had subnormal red-cell folate values satisfying the strict criterion of folate deficiency, giving an overall frequency of 3.4%. Compared to primigravidae and other multiparae, gravida 2 women appeared to be at highest risk of folate deficiency.

China↗

PubMed2003

Low dietary quality among older adults with self-perceived ill-fitting dentures.

OBJECTIVE: To examine dietary quality and nutrient intakes of participants wearing dentures with and without poor fit as determined by questionnaire and dental exam. DESIGN: Nutrient intakes, Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score, and serum nutrient values were examined among individuals wearing either adequate- or poor-fitting dentures and individuals who had at least 18 teeth. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Data was collected from 4,820 participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ages 50 years and older with at least 18 teeth (n=3,207) or those wearing dentures (n=1,613), who responded to a questionnaire about denture fit and had their dentures evaluated by a dentist. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Analysis of covariance and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between individuals fully dentate, wearing good-or ill-fitting dentures, and nutritional status indicators. RESULTS: The group with self-perceived ill-fitting dentures compared with the group with natural teeth had significantly lower total HEI (66.5 vs 68.5 P<.002), vegetables (6.3 vs 6.8 P<.01), and variety scores (7.8 vs 8.2 P<.02); lower ascorbic acid (P<.009) and carotene intakes (P<.004). The group with self-perceived good-fitting dentures did not differ significantly from the dentate group. However, both groups wearing dentures had significantly lower serum levels of vitamins C and E, beta carotene, folate, lutein, and lycopene/zeaxanthin compared with the dentate group. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Dietary quality and intake of certain nutrients was poorer among the group with self-perceived ill-fitting dentures than among those wearing adequate dentures or those with natural teeth. Administering a simple questionnaire to patients about their perceptions of denture fit may be useful in identifying denture wearers at increased risk of dietary inadequacy.

Aged↗