title: Barbiturates and serum calcium in the elderly.
abstract: In a retrospective study, based on a biochemical survey of people aged 65 and over in a general practice, subjects taking a barbiturate preparation for indications other than epilepsy had a significantly lower serum calcium concentration than did those taking nitrazepam or diazepam. Ordinary doses of barbiturate may adversely affect vitamin D metabolism in the elderly.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D002128:Calcium Metabolism Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009567:Nitrazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001463:Barbiturates; D014807:Vitamin D; D009567:Nitrazepam; D003975:Diazepam; D002118:Calcium