Abstract

MARTINEZ GRAU, Isabel. Behavior of serum iron and the cellular immunity in elderlies institutionalized in "Santovenia" old people home. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2009, vol.25, n.4, pp. 43-53. ISSN 1561-3038.

Introduction: Related to nutritional status, iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient for most of tissues. Objective: To relate the iron-deficiency anemia with the cellular immunity in elderlies institutionalized in "Santovenia" old people home. Methods: Authors conducted a study in 41 subjects aged over 60 from the above mentioned old people home, 21 had iron-deficiency anemia and 20 normal controls, in which we determined the hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hto), and serum iron (Fe) concentrations and also a cellular immunity study, active and spontaneous rosettes. Results: For these variables, results from control and sample group were compared. A statistical study was conducted by Student T test of means comparisons, and results showed a decrease of Hb, Hto, serum iron and active and spontaneous rosettes in sample group related to control one with a significant difference for a = 0,01. Conclusions: Elderlies with the lowest values of Hb (£ 9) had Fe values decreased and affectation of cellular immunity.

Keywords : Anemia; serum iron; cellular immunodeficiency; elderly.

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