Demographic analysis of serum folate and folate-binding capacity in hospitalized patients.

Serum folate levels and unsaturated folate-binding capacity (UFBC) in a mixed population of outpatients and inpatients were analyzed with respect to race, sex, and age. The results supported the relatively high prevalence of subnormal serum folates in patient populations, did not find lower serum folates in the elderly, and revealed significantly higher UFBC in Negro patients, in male patients, and in patients older than 50 years.