Resumen

OLIVARES, Manuel et al. Prevalence of zinc and copper deficiencies in older subjects living in Metropolitan Santiago. Rev. méd. Chile [online]. 2011, vol.139, n.3, pp.283-289. ISSN 0034-9887.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872011000300001.

Background: Older subjects have a high risk of developing zinc and copper deficiencies. Aim: To determine the prevalence of copper and zinc deficiencies in adults aged over 60 years, living in Metropolitan Santiago. Subjects and Methods: Analyses were performed using anonymous serum samplesfrom older subjects living in Santiago, Chile, who participated in the multicenter project SABE. Of the studied subjects, 49.3% had enough left over serum to measure serum zinc and copper concentrations by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: A total of444 men and 198 women were studied. A positive correlation between serum zinc and copper was found in both women (r = 0.44, p < 0.001) and men (r = 0.48, p < 0.001). There were no differences in serum zinc concentration by sex and age. The prevalence of subnormal serum zinc valúes was 66.9% in women and 66.7% in men. Women had a significantly higher serum copper valúes than men (p < 0.02) and there were no differences by age. Prevalence of subnormal serum copper valúes was higher in women than in men (32.9 and 23.7% respectively, p < 0.05). Women had significantly higher copper I zinc serum ratio than men (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Older people living in Metropolitan Santiago have a high prevalence of copper and zinc deficiencies.

Palabras clave : Aged; Copper; Chile; Nutritional status; Zinc.

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