title: The effect of intramuscular vitamin D (cholecalciferol) on serum 25OH vitamin D levels in older female acute hospital admissions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many studies have demonstrated the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in the older population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to determine whether supplementation with intramuscular vitamin D improved 25OH vitamin D levels significantly.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety female inpatients aged over 65 years were assigned to receive 300,000 IU of intramuscular vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or no intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline 25OH vitamin D and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were taken and repeated 3 months after supplementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who received treatment showed a significant improvement in 25OH vitamin D levels, from 25.5 to 81 nmol/L with 11% remaining deficient. No patient became hypercalcaemic after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin D deficiency is common throughout all age groups in the Irish population and particularly the older female population who have increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Intramuscular vitamin D significantly improves 25OH vitamin D levels compared to no treatment and may combat non-compliance with oral medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine for the Elderly, University College Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland. cathalnugent@gmail.com
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nugent
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fitzgibbon
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nichaidhin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mulkerrin
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000209:etiology; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D002762:Cholecalciferol