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Abstract
Background
Hair chemical elements reflect physical condition over time. Collection, transporting, and storing hair is more convenient than handling blood. Hair elements show higher levels for a long time, which allows for more accurate and sensitive results than using blood. Studies explored the relationships between elements and age, without full consideration of nutritional status, in older people. This study explored the relationships between hair chemical elements and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) in oldest-old and centenarian populations to provide an updated reference for nutritional evaluation of older people.
Methods
A total of 152 participants over 80 years old underwent home interviews and physical examinations. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer was used to detect hair chemical elements.
Results
Women accounted for 77.0% of participants. Women had lower levels of zinc, and higher levels of selenium, manganese, lead, iron, and copper than men (P<0.05 for all). Ninety-two participants formed the 80–99 year group, and 60 participants formed the 100+ year group. Centenarians had lower levels of selenium, lead, iron, and copper than those aged 80–99 years (P<0.05 for all). Hair selenium levels were positively associated with GNRI (odds ratio: 11.55, 95% confidence interval: 3.42–19.68, P < 0.05) based on a multivariate linear regression analysis. Other chemical elements had no significant associations with GNRI based on a multivariate linear regression analysis.
Conclusion
Chemical elements and nutrient status were altered based on age and gender, and an association existed between hair selenium and nutritional status in older people. Chemical elements may influence and indicate nutritional status in older people.
Data Sharing Statement
In attempt to preserve the privacy of individuals, clinical data will not be shared; the data can be available from authors upon request.
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate
This study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki. It was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hainan Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital (Sanya, Hainan; Number: 301HNLL-2016-01). All participants gave informed consent to take part in the study and for their data to be used.
Author Contributions
Qiao Zhu, Qingkai Zhao, Ping Ping, Qian Zhang are co-first authors. All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors have no competing interests.