Is There A Relationship Between Serum Retinol Levels, Fiber Intake And High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein In Hypertensive Elderlies?

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between serum retinol, highl-sensitivityC-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and dietary fiber intake in a population of hypertensive elderlies. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional population-based study with170 elderly people aged 60-90 years, of both sexes, from a city in northeastern Brazil. Biochemical analyses were performed, in which serum retinol and hs-CRP concentrations were analyzed, and a self-administered quantitative food frequency questionnaire was applied. Inclusion criteria were: 60-90 years old, living in the city of Joao Pessoa, and self-reported hypertension. Exclusion criteria were: individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders, and individuals who reported supplementation of vitamin A, carotenoids or fiber supplements. The data were analyzed using Wilcoxon test, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression analysis. All statistical analyses were performed with the R Development Core Team Software. Results: No significant relationships were observed between hypertension and serum retinol levels (p = 0.4325), hs-CRP levels (p = 0.4104) and dietary fiber intake (p = 0.0935). Based on logistic regression, each 1 unit increase in body mass index (BMI) increases the probability of hypertension by 0.009545%. The other variables did not contribute to the final regression model. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of hypertensive individuals with adequate retinolvalues, there was no association between serum retinol, CRP levels and fiber intake. The majority of participants had normal hs-CRP levels, which may have been influenced by the antioxidant activity of retinol and inadequate fiber intake. DESCRIPTORS Vitamin A. C-Reactive Protein. Dietary Fiber. Hypertension. Aged.