Plasma vitamin C concentrations in patients in a psychiatric hospital
Schorah, C.J.; Morgan, D.B.; Hullin, R.P.
Human Nutrition. Clinical Nutrition 37(6): 447-452
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0263-8290 PMID: 6668228 Document Number: 197120
Plasma ascorbic acid levels were determined in 885 patients in a large psychiatric hospital (and in 110 healthy subjects as a control group), and were examined relative to the age, disease, and length of hospital stay of the patients. The mean ascorbate level was notably lower in the patients than in the healthy control group (0.51 vs. 0.87 mg/100 ml, respectively) Hospital stay had little effect on ascorbate level; the level was slightly lower, however, in male patients, in female patients on iron therapy, and in senile dementia patients. Age of patients having similar diets for several years did not correlate with plasma ascorbate, indicating that changes in plasma ascorbate with age tht had been reported rather reflect dietary intake differences. A significant number of the patients (32 %) had plasma ascorbate levels below that at which detrimental health effects have been noted (0.35 mg/100 ml). (wz)