Association between transient appetite loss and vitamin B1 deficiency in elderly patients with suspected deficiency. (17th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ohta, Ryuichi; Ryu, Yoshinori; Hattori, Shuzo
• Is Part Of: Journal of general and family medicine. Volume 22:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 128
• Page End: 133
• Publication Date: 2020-11-17
• Subjects: appetite loss -- elderly patients -- Japan -- rural -- vitamin B1 deficiency; Primary care (Medicine) -- Periodicals; Family medicine -- Periodicals; Family Practice; Primary Health Care; Japan; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1002/jgf2.404
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2189-7948

Abstract

Abstract: Background: There is scarce evidence associating vitamin B1 levels and appetite loss duration in elderly patients with suspected B1 deficiency. We aimed to investigate this association in elderly hospitalized patients with suspected vitamin B1 deficiency in rural Japan. Methods: This cross‐sectional study evaluated 309 elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) admitted to one rural Hospital between April 2017 and March 2019. We collected data on vitamin B1 level, age, sex, body mass index, albumin levels, area of residence, long‐term care, dependent conditions, activities of daily living, Charlson comorbidity index, and appetite loss from the patients' electronic medical records. Vitamin B1 deficiency was defined as serum vitamin B1 levels <20 μg/dL. Data were analyzed using the Mann‐Whitney U, Student's t, and chi‐square tests, followed by multivariable logistic regression, to examine the association between vitamin B1 deficiency and appetite loss. Results: Eighty‐eight (28.5%) patients had vitamin B1 deficiency. In multivariable logistic regression, appetite loss (for both < 1 and > 1 week) before admission to the hospital showed a significant association with vitamin B1 deficiency (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =10.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.16‐22.00, P < .001; and AOR = 5.77, 95% CI: 2.88‐11.50, P < .001, respectively). Conclusions: Appetite loss is associated with vitamin B1 deficiency in elderly Japanese patients living in rural areas. Therefore, physicians should be aware of the possibility of vitamin B1 deficiency in elderly patients with appetite loss and focus on early intervention. Abstract : This study clarifies the positive association between the short duration of appetite loss and vitamin B1 deficiency among older patients in rural Japan