Studying the Association Between Folic Acid Deficiency and Social Isolation for Elderly Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Social isolation among elderly people is a frequent and major determinant for health. The risk of premature death is 2 to 5 time higher for socially isolated people, similarly for morbidity, duration of healing and complications rate. Denutrition is also frequent for elderly people with potentially serious consequences. Vitamin deficiency, especially in B9 and B12 vitamins, are often associated with denutrition among elderly people. Folic acid (vitamin B9) is not influenced by inflammation and folic acid income are necessarily exogene. Vitamin B9 is provided by fresh fruits and vegetables, and giblets. The investigators observed a high prevalence in folic acid deficiency for socially isolated elderly patients. The investigators made the hypothesis that a folic acid defiency is associated with social isolation for elderly people. The primary purpose is the study of the association between folic acid deficiency (measured by dosing of plasma concentration of vitamin B9) and social isolation evaluated by Lubben Social Network Scale in 6 questions. The secondary purposes are the study of the correlation between folic acid deficiency and social conditions, nutritional status, biological data, poly pharmacy, cognitive functions, dependency and length of stay at hospital.

Official Title
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Studying the Association Between Folic Acid Deficiency and Social Isolation for Elderly Patients

Conditions
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Folic Acid Deficiency, Social Isolation, Elderly Patients

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Lubben Social Network Scale - 6


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria : Patients hospitalized in geriatric rehabilitation care in Strasbourg University Hospital Age > 75 years Patient has given his consent Exclusion criteria : Digestive malabsorption disorder : gastrectomy, extended intestinal resection, Crohn disease, celiac disease, parenteral nutrition Chronic alcoholism Treatment with sulfamids, methotrexate, anti epileptic treatment (hydantoin) Hemodialysis Patients under protection measure (curatorship, guardianship, judicial protection) Patient refuses to participate

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Folic acid deficiency<br>Those with a folic acid defiency | Other: Lubben Social Network Scale - 6<br>* One short oral interview to complete the Lubben Social Network Scale in auto-survey, translated in French. It contains 6 questions on 30 points, higher scores are associated with more social engagement, lower scores, specifically under 12/30, are associated with social isolation.<br>|
| No deficiency<br>Those with no folic acid deficiency | Other: Lubben Social Network Scale - 6<br>* One short oral interview to complete the Lubben Social Network Scale in auto-survey, translated in French. It contains 6 questions on 30 points, higher scores are associated with more social engagement, lower scores, specifically under 12/30, are associated with social isolation.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Measure of plasma concentration on vitamin B9 by blood test taken in regular hospital admission | Folic acid deficiency is evaluated by dosing of plasma concentration of vitamin B9 through blood test taken in regular hospital admission. Folic acid deficiency is defined by a concentration under 3 ng/mL. | 10 weeks | 
| Measure of social isolation by Lubben Social Network Scale in 6 questions | Social isolation is measured by score results on LSNS-6 auto-survey. A score lower than 12/30 is associated with social isolation. | 10 weeks |