Multiple Micronutrients,Including Zinc,Selenium and Iron,Are Positively Associated with Anemia in New Zealand Aged Care Residents |
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Authors: | Sue O. MacDonell Jody C. Miller Michelle J. Harper Malcolm R. Reid Jillian J. Haszard Rosalind S. Gibson Lisa A. Houghton |
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Affiliation: | 1.Department of General Practice and Primary Care, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1072, New Zealand;2.Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (J.C.M.); (M.J.H.); (J.J.H.); (R.S.G.); (L.A.H.);3.Trace Element Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; |
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Abstract: | Anemia is a significant comorbidity for older adults not fully attributable to iron deficiency. Low-grade inflammation and other micronutrient deficiencies also contribute. This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between nutrient and non-nutrient factors with hemoglobin and anemia in 285 residents (>65 years) of 16 New Zealand aged-care facilities. Blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin, ferritin, sTfR, hepcidin, zinc, selenium, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), (with ferritin, sTfR, zinc and selenium adjusted for inflammation). Linear regression models examined the relationships between micronutrient biomarkers (iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin B-12 and D), age, sex, and health factors with hemoglobin. Thirty-two percent of participants exhibited anemia, although <2% had either depleted iron stores or iron deficiency. Plasma zinc and selenium deficiencies were present in 72% and 38% of participants, respectively. Plasma zinc and total body iron (TBI) were positively associated (p < 0.05) with hemoglobin, while gastric acid suppressing medications, hepcidin, and interleukin-6 were inversely associated. These relationships were maintained after the application of anemia cut-offs. These findings emphasize the importance of considering multiple micronutrient deficiencies as risk factors for anemia. |
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Keywords: | anemia inflammation nursing home anti-secretory medications proton pump inhibitors interleukin-6 soluble transferrin receptor total body iron |
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