C-reactive protein and fibrinogen of bedridden older patients in a six-month vitamin D supplementation trial.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the association between vitamin D status, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of a randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial.


METHODS
Four longterm care hospitals (1215 beds) in Helsinki, Finland.


METHODS
218 long-term inpatients aged over 65 years.


METHODS
Eligible patients (n = 218) were randomized to receive 0 IU/d, 400 IU/d, or 1200 IU/d cholecalciferol for six months.


METHODS
Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), parathyroid hormone (PTH), high sensitive CRP, fibrinogen, amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) were measured.


RESULTS
The patients were aged (84.5 +/- 7.5 years), vitamin D deficient (25-OHD = 23 +/- 10 nmol/l), chronically bedridden and in stable general condition. The mean baseline CRP and fibrinogen were 10.86 mg/l (0.12 mg/l - 125.00 mg/l) and 4,7 g/l (2.3 g/l - 8.6 g/l), respectively. CRP correlated with ICTP (r = 0.217, p = 0.001), but not with vitamin D status. Supplementation significantly increased 25-OHD concentrations, but the changes in CRP and fibrinogen were insignificant and inconsistent. The post-trial CRP concentrations (0.23 mg/l -138.00 mg/l) correlated with ICTP (r = 0.156, p < 0.001), but no association was found with vitamin D status. The baseline and post-trial fibrinogen correlated with CRP, only.


CONCLUSIONS
CRP concentrations are associated with bone turnover, but not with vitamin D status, and vitamin D supplementation has no major effect on CRP or fibrinogen concentrations in bedridden older patients.
Bjorkman
M P
MP
Clinics of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. mikko.bjorkman@helsinki.fi
Sorva
A J
AJ
Tilvis
R S
RS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D024042:Collagen Type I; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005387:Finland; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000187:drug effects; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D010455:Peptides; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
D024042:Collagen Type I; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D011347:Procollagen; D014815:Vitamins; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; C047202:procollagen Type I N-terminal peptide; D014807:Vitamin D; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D