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Plasma retinol and tocopherol levels in Greek elderly population from an urban and a rural area: Associations with the dietary habits

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Abstract

Data on plasma concentrations of retinol and α-tocopherol in elderly (over 65 years) living in the Mediterranean countries are sparse. In the current study, plasma retinol and α-tocopherol concentrations were determined in 200 healthy subjects (82 men and 112 women) residing in an urban and in a rural area in South Western Greece. High prevalence of low plasma retinol concentration was observed for both sexes in each area. The 16.7% of males in urban and 25.4% in rural area had plasma retinol levels below 0.3 mg/l. The corresponding values for female subjects were 26% and 20.3%. Plasma α-tocopherol was found to be within normal range in the rural area (only one male had plasma α-tocopherol below 5 mg/l) while in the urban area 68.3% of men and 62% of women had plasma α-tocopherol values below 5 mg/l. Differences in dietary habits between subjects living in the rural and in the urban area were revealed through a weekly food frequency questionnaire. This could partly explain the difference in α-tocopherol concentrations between the two areas. The results of this study revealed high risk of vitamin A and E deficiency and suggests that the health care system in Greece should pay more attention on the social and health status of its elderly population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Greece

    M. Leotsinidis, A. Alexopoulos, V. Schinas, M. Kardara & X. Kondakis

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  1. M. Leotsinidis
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  2. A. Alexopoulos
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  3. V. Schinas
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  4. M. Kardara
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  5. X. Kondakis
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Leotsinidis, M., Alexopoulos, A., Schinas, V. et al. Plasma retinol and tocopherol levels in Greek elderly population from an urban and a rural area: Associations with the dietary habits. Eur J Epidemiol 16, 1009–1016 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010895227352

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