Copper supplementation improves functional activities of daily living in adults with copper deficiency.

OBJECTIVE

Neurologic manifestations of copper deficiency in adults are increasingly recognized. We sought to determine if copper supplementation over a period of 12 months would improve functional activities of daily living (ADLs) in patients with copper deficiency.

METHODS

We studied 15 consecutively diagnosed patients with copper deficiency that received 12 months of copper supplementation. Functional ADLs were evaluated by the Barthel Index (BI), administered at the time of diagnosis and repeated after 12 months of copper supplementation.

RESULTS

BI scores were significantly higher after 12 months of continued supplementation when compared with initial scores [(mean ± SD), 74 ± 11.7 versus 83 ± 13.2, P = 0.007, paired t-test]. A significant inverse linear correlation between the duration of symptoms before treatment and the change in the BI scores was noted (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Early initiation and sustained supplementation with copper for at least 12 months may improve functional ADLs in patients with copper deficiency.