Vitamin B6 status of institutionalised and non-institutionalised aged

The vitamin B6 status of 196 aged subjects living at home and institutionalised in hospital, residential accommodation and sheltered dwelling was studied. Subjects receiving multivitamins were grouped separately and the effect of regular vitamin supplementation on the vitamin B6 status was assessed. The mean dietary intake of vitamin B6 was less than 2 mg/day in all the groups. The biochemical deficiency, as evaluated by erythrocyte glutamic pyruvic transaminase (EGPT) index, was observed in 42.3 per cent of the total subjects; the highest incidence was in subjects of sheltered dwelling. Twenty per cent of the subjects receiving multivitamin also had deficient biochemical levels. Anaemia was noted in 1.3 per cent of the vitamin B6 deficient subjects. Clinical signs of deficiency were noted in one female subject of sheltered dwelling.