title: Screening for vitamin D deficiency in the elderly.
abstract: The importance of vitamin D to normal physiologic function is well established. With deficiency becoming increasingly frequent, the potential for preventing and treating diseases through vitamin D supplementation is gaining in appreciation. Deficiency is particularly common in the geriatric population based on both behavioral and biologic factors, and has been associated with increased risk of musculoskeletal, neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, endocrine and oncologic disease. Although some experts recommend empiric supplementation for all elderly persons, a strategy of routine screening and documented adequacy of replacement in deficient patients appears superior.
authors.affiliation: Medical Service, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson 39216, USA. Jatupol.Kositsawat@va.gov
authors.forename: Jatupol
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kositsawat
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Geraci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D004872:Ergocalciferols; D014807:Vitamin D; D002762:Cholecalciferol