Prevalence of zinc and copper deficiencies in older subjects living in Metropolitan Santiago Prevalencia de las deficiencias de zinc y cobre en adultos mayores de la Región Metropolitana de Santiago

Abstract

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 samples from 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 of 444 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 values was 66.9% in women and 66.7% in men. Women had a significantly higher serum copper values than men (p < 0.02) and there were no differences by age. Prevalence of subnor