Vitamin C, well-established in immune function and a key factor in epigenetic inflammatory modifications, is only obtained through consistent dietary intake. Identifying individuals at risk for Vitamin C insufficiency may guide prevention and treatment, however, national surveillance has not been evaluated in the United States since 2006. A descriptive, cross-sectional secondary analysis was performed utilizing data from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) assessing non-institutionalized adults. Five categories of plasma Vitamin C were delineated: deficiency (<11 μmol/L), hypovitaminosis (11–23 μmol/L), inadequate (23–49 μmol/L), adequate (50–69 μmol/L), and saturating (≥70 μmol/L). Results indicated 41.8% of the population possessed insufficient levels (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, and inadequate) of Vitamin C. Males, adults aged 20–59, Black and Mexican Americans, smokers, individuals with increased BMI, middle and high poverty to income ratio and food insecurity were significantly associated with insufficient Vitamin C plasma levels. Plasma Vitamin C levels reveal a large proportion of the population still at risk for inflammatory driven disease with little to no symptoms of Vitamin C hypovitaminosis. Recognition and regulation of the health impact of Vitamin C support the goal of Nutrition and Healthy Eating as part of the Healthy People 2030.

Although undisputed for its anti-inflammatory and immune system boosting properties, vitamin C remains an inconsistently investigated nutrient in the United States. However, subclinical inadequacies may partly explain increased inflammation and decreased immune function within the population. This secondary analysis cross-sectional study used the 2003–2006 NHANES surveys to identify more clearly the association between plasma vitamin C and clinical biomarkers of acute and chronic inflammation C-reactive protein (CRP) and red cell distribution width (RDW). From plasma vitamin C levels separated into five defined categories (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, inadequate, adequate, and saturating), ANOVA tests identified significant differences in means in all insufficient vitamin C categories (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, and inadequate) and both CRP and RDW in 7607 study participants. There were also statistically significant differences in means between sufficient plasma vitamin C levels (adequate and saturating categories) and CRP. Significant differences were not identified between adequate and saturating plasma vitamin C levels and RDW. Although inadequate levels of vitamin C may not exhibit overt signs or symptoms of deficiency, differences in mean levels identified between inflammatory biomarkers suggest a closer examination of those considered at risk for inflammatory-driven diseases. Likewise, the subclinical levels of inflammation presented in this study provide evidence to support ranges for further clinical inflammation surveillance.

Vitamin C remains an important, yet frequently unassessed, component of a healthy immune system though it may prove useful in alleviating the chronic inflammatory processes underlying chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD). Recent research identified a sizeable proportion of the United States population with insufficient vitamin C plasma levels and significant associations to both acute and chronic inflammation. This cross-sectional study used the 2003–2006 NHANES surveys data to extrapolate associations between plasma vitamin C levels (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, inadequate, adequate, and saturating) and CAD through inflammation (C-reactive protein and red cell distribution width). Increased reports of CAD diagnosis were identified in participants with vitamin C deficiency (OR: 2.31, CI: 1.49–3.58) and inadequate plasma levels (OR: 1.39, CI: 1.03–1.87). No significant correlation was identified between any other plasma vitamin C quintiles and CAD. When inflammation was controlled, previous associations in the deficient level of plasma vitamin C were no longer significant in association with CAD and participants with inadequate plasma vitamin C showed a reduced association to CAD diagnoses (OR: 0.33, CI: 0.13-0.86). Most chronic inflammation and vitamin C plasma statuses do not demonstrate specific signs or symptoms until the deficient level of vitamin C and/or disease. Thus, increased surveillance of both, and healthy nutritional habits remain crucial modifiable risk factors for disease prevention.

INTRODUCTION The Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC) has the goal of better understanding the burden of prostate cancer among Black men of West African descent. While prostate cancer disproportionately affects Blacks around the world, little research is done to understand what mental health and social support play a role in prostate cancer risk factors. The purpose of this 10-year longitudinal study is to establish a cohort of U.S.-born Black men, West African-born Black men who reside in the U.S, and West African Black men in Africa who would be prospectively and longitudinally followed to better understand the cause of prostate cancer and how different factors might influence it. METHODS Study staff partnered with community-based organizations, events, and stakeholders to engage with the priority population. Snowball sampling was also used for recruitment. All participants were made aware of the longitudinal nature of the study and that they would be contacted every two years for follow-up. Informed consent was done in community settings electronically and on paper. Once consent was received, participants completed the survey with a unique identifier and filled out a Cohort Contact sheet. They were given the option to complete this on their own or with the help of the study staff. Study Staff would then measure participants’ weight, height, and waistline, to be recorded on the survey form. After this, participant saliva was collected and tracked with the unique identifier. All collected data was stored on RedCap and a Chi-squared test was utilized to identify statistical significance. RESULTS 803 participants are included in this data with 77 in Cameroon, 663 in Nigeria, and 59 in the United States. When asked about emotional support, 13.6% (US) 11.8% (Nigeria), and 14.3% (Cameroon) indicated never or rarely having emotional support. 5.8% of those in the United States, 5.6% of those in Nigeria, and 7.8% of those in Cameroon felt dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their lives. The p-value for both was found to be &lt;0.001, therefore, suggesting statistical significance. On the other hand, participants described having an average of 6.53 (US), 9.4 (Nigeria), and 8.26% (Cameroon) days where their mental health was not good. However, this was statistically insignificant with a p-value of .95. CONCLUSION Mental health issues have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic. While many people of color have stigmatized needing mental health help, it is important to find ways to overcome this barrier in assessing mental health and social support needs. Future research should continue to ask mental health and social support questions in order to assess their role in prostate cancer risk factors. Citation Format: Jessica Otero, Emeka Iweala, Ademola Popoola, Paul Jibrin, Mohammed Faruk, Anthonia Sowumi, Omolara Fatiregun, Nkegoum Blaise, Catherine Oladoyinbo, Ifeoma Okoye, Abdulkadir Ayo Salako, Abidemi Omonisi, Iya Eze Bassey, Kayode Adenji, Nggada Haruna Asura, Ernest Kaninjing, Oluwole Kukoyi, Parisa Fathi, Ruth Enuka, Oluwaseyi Toye, Jennifer Crook, Folakemi Odedina. Quality of life indicators including mental health factors in CaPTC prostate cancer familial cohort study of men of African Ancestry in Nigeria, Cameroon, and United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B073.