SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Malnutrition in Hospitalized Adults: Determining the Prevalence of Vitamin C Deficiency

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This study examined vitamin C deficiency among hospitalized adults at Grady Memorial Hospital from 2013 to 2024. Because humans cannot synthesize vitamin C and hospitalized patients often have poor intake or chronic illness, deficiency is a concern, especially since severe deficiency can lead to scurvy and serious outcomes.<br /><br />Using EPIC data, the researchers reviewed 1,213 serum vitamin C tests. Overall, 340 tests (28%) were abnormal. In a pilot analysis of 284 patients from 2020 to 2023, 104 patients (36.6%) had abnormal results, and most were frankly deficient. Low levels were common, including 22 patients (7.7%) with very low levels and 68 patients (23.9%) with levels at the cutoff for deficiency.<br /><br />Demographically, most patients with abnormal vitamin C results were Black or African American (73%), followed by White or Caucasian patients (17.3%). Abnormal results were evenly distributed between men and women. BMI data showed a mix of nutritional statuses: 37.5% had a normal BMI, 26% were obese, and 16.3% were underweight.<br /><br />The key conclusion was that vitamin C deficiency is common in hospitalized patients at this institution, affecting more than one-third of those tested. The authors also noted a concerning mortality signal, with about one-third of patients with low levels not surviving. They concluded that identifying high-risk groups and underlying risk factors is important to improve detection, treatment, and patient outcomes.

Asset Subtitle

Pradeep Bathina

Meta Tag

Author List Jasmah Hanna, Mary Ann K. Hall, Milly Tadigiri, Pradeep Bathina, Stacey Watkins, TaCoria Williams

Category Research

Concept Vitamin C Deficiency

Concept Hospitalized Adults

Concept Serum Vitamin C Level

Concept Prevalence

Concept High-Risk Population

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Emory University School of Medicine

Presenting Author Pradeep Bathina

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

vitamin C deficiency

hospitalized adults

Grady Memorial Hospital

scurvy

serum vitamin C tests

EPIC data

nutritional deficiency

Black or African American patients

mortality signal

BMI status

Vitamin C Deficiency

Hospitalized Adults

Serum Vitamin C Level

Prevalence

High-Risk Population