 |
|
Vitamin E Concentration and Physical Decline in Older Persons
|
|
| Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings. |
|
|
|
To the Editor: Dr Bartali and colleagues1 performed a longitudinal study of serum micronutrients and physical decline in older persons. Although they found an association between low serum concentrations of vitamin E and physical decline, the study had a large dropout rate, and we are concerned about the potential for selection bias.
The authors report that, compared with those assessed, the 457 excluded participants (39.6% of total participants) were significantly older and had lower physical activity levels, poorer cognitive and physical function, and lower vitamin D levels, but they do not provide any information about vitamin E serum concentration (the characteristic of most interest). It would be important to know if this level were higher in the excluded group.
Furthermore, we are particularly interested in the vitamin E levels and ages at baseline for the 214 participants (23.5% of baseline participants) who were lost during follow-up. It is very likely . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Marjolein Krul, MD
m.krul@erasmusmc.nl
Jurgen Damen, MD;
Johannes C. vander Wouden, PhD
Erasmus MC University Medical Center
Department of General Practice
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
RELATED ARTICLE
Serum Micronutrient Concentrations and Decline in Physical Function Among Older Persons
Benedetta Bartali, Edward A. Frongillo, Jack M. Guralnik, Martha H. Stipanuk, Heather G. Allore, Antonio Cherubini, Stefania Bandinelli, Luigi Ferrucci, and Thomas M. Gill
JAMA. 2008;299(3):308-315.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
RELATED LETTER
Vitamin E Concentration and Physical Decline in Older Persons—Reply
Benedetta Bartali, Luigi Ferrucci, and Thomas Gill
JAMA. 2008;299(17):2021.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
