title: The response of elderly veterans to daily vitamin D3 supplementation of 2,000 IU: a pilot efficacy study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D<32 ng/mL; HVD) in a population of elderly veterans and conduct a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of supplementation with cholecalciferol in correcting HVD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Geriatric clinic at the Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida.
  
  
  METHODS
  Veterans aged 70 and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oral cholecalciferol 2,000 IU daily or placebo for 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and 24-hour urinary calcium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 34 participants who completed the study, 62% had HVD at baseline. In the treatment group, mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level rose from 28.4±7.9 ng/mL at baseline to 42.7±10.5 ng/mL at the end of the trial, but levels remained less than 32 ng/mL in three of 17 (18%) of the participants. In the placebo group, the baseline level of 27.7±8.3 ng/mL remained unchanged (28.8±8.7 ng/mL). Supplementation did not alter serum or urinary calcium levels and did not result in any adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These initial observations suggest that, in older veterans, cholecalciferol 2,000 IU daily for 6 months is generally safe and corrects HVD in most but not all individuals.
authors.affiliation: Geriatrics Institute, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA. evan.cherniack@va.gov
authors.forename: E Paul
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Cherniack
authors.forename: Hermes J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Florez
authors.forename: Bruce W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Hollis
authors.forename: Bernard A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: Bruce R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Troen
authors.forename: Silvina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Levis
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D; D002762:Cholecalciferol; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D002118:Calcium