FUNCTIONAL AND PSYCHIC DETERIORATION IN ELDERLY PEOPLE MAY BE AGGRAVATED BY FOLATE-DEFICIENCY

The deterioration of functional and mental capacity is one of the majo r problems of the elderly. This deterioration may be caused or worsene d by folate deficiency, The aim of this investigation was to analyze t he relationship between mental and functional capacities and folate st atus in a group of 177 elderly Spanish people, Folate deficiency is co mmon in the Spanish population. in this study, 48.6% of the elderly su bjects had folate intakes below recommended values (200 mu g/day), 34. 9% had serum concentrations <14 nmol/L and 6.6% had <360 nmol/L erythr ocyte folate. Subjects took part in a series of tests: Katz' scale of activities of daily living, Lawton's scale of instrumental activities of daily living, Pfeiffer's mental status questionnaire, Folstein's Mi ni-Mental State Test and the Geriatric Depression scale of Yesavage. T he results for Lawton's scale of instrumental activities of daily livi ng were significantly better (indicating greater independence and capa city) when folate intake and serum or erythrocyte folate concentration s were adequate (i.e., folate intake no less than recommended, greater than or equal to 14 nmol/L serum folate or greater than or equal to 3 60 nmol/L erythrocyte folate). Subjects with adequate Mini-Mental Stat e Exam results (greater than or equal to 28 points) had serum and eryt hrocyte folate concentrations significantly higher than those with les s adequate results (<28 points). Thus, there is evidence to suggest th at the folate status of the elderly should be monitored and, if possib le, improved.