[Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in elderly institutionalized residents: influence of a substitutive treatment].
BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis in the elderly is a common and severe disease, vitamin D deficiency being an important causative factor. Hypovitaminosis D is frequent in old people, particularly those living in nursing homes.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study of 100 randomly recruited elderly institutionalized subjects. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and its possible repercussion on the phosphocalcium metabolism were assessed. The degree of sun exposure and the existence of co-morbidity were also recorded. Individuals with hypovitaminosis D were included in a longitudinal study (6 months' duration) aimed at assess the efficacy of treatment with calcium and two different therapeutic regimens with calcidiol (16,000 IU/week or 16,000 IU every 3 weeks).


RESULTS
87% of individuals had hypovitaminosis D; 21.8% of them had secondary hyperparathyroidism. The study population had a low degree of sun exposure and a high level of co-morbidity. The two doses of calcidiol led to a normalization of 25-OHD3 levels, increased calciuria and compensated secondary hyperparathyroidism, yet higher 25-OHD3 levels were achieved with the weekly therapeutic scheme.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypovitaminosis D prevalence appears to be very high In the elderly institutionalized population. Calcium and calcidiol supplementation normalized 25-OHD3, improved calcium absorption and compensated secondary hyperparathyroidism. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation should be employed routinely in the elderly institutionalized population.
Larrosa
M
M
Unidad de Reumatología, Corporació Parc Taulí. Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain. mlarrosa@cspt.es
Gratacòs
J
J
Vaqueiro
M
M
Prat
M
M
Campos
F
F
Roqué
M
M
D000368:Aged; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015995:Prevalence; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002112:Calcifediol; D002118:Calcium