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Vitamin E Concentration and Physical Decline in Older Persons
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To the Editor: Dr Bartali and colleagues1 performed a longitudinal study of serum micronutrients and physical decline in older persons. Although they found an association between low serum concentrations of vitamin E and physical decline, the study had a large dropout rate, and we are concerned about the potential for selection bias.
The authors report that, compared with those assessed, the 457 excluded participants (39.6% of total participants) were significantly older and had lower physical activity levels, poorer cognitive and physical function, and lower vitamin D levels, but they do not provide any information about vitamin E serum concentration (the characteristic of most interest). It would be important to know if this level were higher in the excluded group.
Furthermore, we are particularly interested in the vitamin E levels and ages at baseline for the 214 participants (23.5% of baseline participants) who were lost during follow-up. It is very likely . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Marjolein Krul, MD
m.krul@erasmusmc.nl
Jurgen Damen, MD;
Johannes C. vander Wouden, PhD
Erasmus MC University Medical Center
Department of General Practice
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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