title: Better functional mobility in community-dwelling elderly is related to D-hormone serum levels and to daily calcium intake.
abstract: The influence of calcitropic hormones on functional mobility has been studied in vitamin D (calcidiol) deficient elderly or elderly with a history of falls, however, data in community-dwelling independent vitamin D replete elderly are missing. We therefore assessed in an observational survey the association of calcidiol (25(OH)D3) and calcitriol (D-hormone / 1,25(OH)2D3) status as well as of daily calcium intake on functional mobility in older subjects We evaluated 192 women and 188 men, aged superior 70 years and living independently. Average Timed-up and go test (TUG-test) in seconds was taken as measure of functional mobility. Calcidiol and D-hormone serum concentrations and daily calcium intake were studied in multivariate controlled linear regression models with TUG-test performance as the dependent variable and/or as dichotomous variables (deficient vs. non-deficient, above vs. below the median, respectively). Subjects with low D-hormone serum concentrations took significantly more time to perform the TUG-test (low = 7.70s +/- 2.52 SD ; high = 6.70s +/- 1.29 SD; p = 0.004). In the linear multivariate controlled regression model increased D-hormone serum concentrations predicted better TUG-test performance (estimate -0.0007, p = 0.044). Participants with a calcium intake of > or =512 mg/day were significantly faster to perform the TUG-test than participants with a daily calcium intake of <512 mg/day (estimate:-0.43, p = 0.007). Other significant predictors of better TUG-test performance in both models were: male gender, less comorbid conditions, younger age, lower BMI, iPTH serum levels and creatinine clearance. Calcidiol serum levels were not associated with TUG-test performance. Higher D-hormone status and a calcium intake of > or =512 mg/day in community-dwelling independent older persons are significant determinants of better functional mobility. Therefore, to ensure optimal functional mobility, the care of older persons should address correction of D-hormone deficiency and increasing daily calcium intake.
authors.affiliation: Ambulatorium Wiesendamm, Wiesendamm 22, 4057 Basel, Switzerland. l.d@gmx.net
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dukas
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Staehelin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schacht
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Bischoff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000097:blood*; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D002117:Calcitriol; D002112:Calcifediol