Underutilization of calcium and vitamin D supplements in an academic long-term care facility.
BACKGROUND
Good scientific evidence indicates that calcium and vitamin D supplementation decrease the incidence of osteoporosis-related fractures among institutionalized elderly.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to study the frequency of prescribing calcium and vitamin D supplements in elderly institutionalized individuals in a large community teaching nursing home.


METHODS
A cross-sectional chart review study of 177 consecutively located elderly residents from an 899-bed academic long-term care facility.


RESULTS
Calcium and vitamin D supplements were prescribed in only 12% and 9% of subjects, respectively. Among subjects with the diagnosis of osteoporosis (n = 12), 66% were prescribed calcium and 58% were prescribed vitamin D supplements. Among subjects with hip fractures (n = 8), only 25% were prescribed calcium with a similar percentage prescribed vitamin D supplements. Female residents were more likely than male residents to receive calcium (P <0.05) and vitamin D supplements (P = 0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a major need to increase the utilization of calcium and vitamin D supplementation among institutionalized elderly to decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures, including hip fractures.
Geriatrics and Extended Care, St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center, Hot Springs, AR, USA. kamel@pol.net
Hosam K
HK
Kamel
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000188:drug therapy; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium