title: Effectiveness and safety of a high-dose weekly vitamin D (20,000 IU) protocol in older adults living in residential care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations, an indicator of vitamin D status, in older adults living in residential care 1 year after a protocol of weekly 20,000 IU of vitamin D was started.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five residential care facilities in British Columbia, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Residents aged 65 and older from five facilities (N=236).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants provided a blood sample. Demographic and health information was obtained from the medical record.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean 25OHD was 102 nmol/L (95% confidence interval (CI)=98-106 nmol/L). Three percent of residents had a 25OHD concentration of less than 40 nmol/L, 6% <50 nmol/L, and 19% <75 nmol/L. In those who received 20,000 IU/wk or more for 6 months or longer (n=147), mean 25OHD was 112 nmol/L (95% CI=108-117 nmol/L), and none had a 25OHD level of less than 50 nmol/L. Hypercalcemia (>2.6 mmol/L), a potential consequence of too much vitamin D, was present in 14%, although 25OHD levels did not differ in those with and without hypercalcemia (108 vs 101 nmol/L; P=.17).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Twelve months after implementation of a 20,000-IU/wk vitamin D protocol for older adults in residential care, mean 25OHD concentrations were high, and there was no evidence of poor vitamin D status. Given the absence of demonstrated benefit of high 25OHD concentrations to the residential care population, dosages less than 20,000 IU/wk of vitamin D are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Fraser Health Authority, Surrey, BC, Canada; Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: Crystal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gaspard
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gustafson
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Susan I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Barr
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Kitts
authors.forename: Wangyang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hope A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Weiler
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: elderly; residential care; safety; vitamin D