[Hypovitaminosis D associated to low sun exposure in the population over 64 years old].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the factors related to hypovitaminosis D in the population over 64 years of age without known risk factors of hypovitaminosis D.


METHODS
It was a cross-sectional population study in individuals over 64 year-old attending basic healthcare areas in our hospital's area of reference. A survey was conducted to assess various items (functional capacity, exposure to sun, walks, eating habits). Blood samples taken from each participant were analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 239 individuals -mean age (standard deviation): 72 (5.4) years- were evaluated. 95% of the participants scored > 90 on the Barthel index. Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 -25(OH)D3- concentration was 17 (7.5) ng/ml and intact parathormone was 60 (26 pg/ml). The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was 87%, including 70.3% with insufficiency (25(OH)D3 between 11 and 25 ng/ml) and 16.7% with deficiency (25(OH)D3 < or = 10 ng/ml). The intake of vitamin D and calcium were below recommended levels. The principal source of vitamin D was oily fish. Participants with deficiency scored lower on the Barthel index, had a higher mean age, lived in flats, had less exposure to sun, and used to walk less in sun-hours. Higher levels of alkaline phosphatase and intact parathormone were found in participants with deficiency. The variables independently and significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency were a Barthel score < or = 90, scant exposure to sun and living in a flat.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the population aged over 64 years in our area, which is associated with lower functional capacity, scant exposure to sun and living in flats.
Vaqueiro
Montserrat
M
Albada, Centre Sociosanitari, España. mvaqueiro@cspt.es
Baré
Marisa
M
Anton
Esperança
E
Andreu
Eulàlia
E
Moya
Antonio
A
Sampere
Rosa
R
Villar
Eduard
E
Gimeno
Carmen
C
D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006370:Heliotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase