The effectiveness of a preventive health program and vitamin D status in improving health-related quality of life of older Canadians.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of a preventive health program and vitamin D status in improving the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older residents of Canada.


METHODS
We analyzed baseline and follow-up data of 2119 volunteers of a community program that promotes healthy lifestyles and encourages vitamin D supplementation. We examined the program effect on each of the five dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L, HRQOL score, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) using multivariable regression methods. We further examined the specific contribution of vitamin D status as quantified by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D).


RESULTS
Problems with mobility, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and depression/anxiety were reported less during follow-up compared to baseline. On average, participants' HRQOL had improved by 0.018 units at 6 months and 0.025 units at 1 year of follow-up. Improvements in vitamin D status were independently associated with improvements in HRQOL and in QALYs. As per 25 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D, there was a 0.002 increase in HRQOL and a 0.001 increase in QALYs.


CONCLUSIONS
This study documents the benefits of a real-world preventive health program to HRQOL. It is the first to reveal that improvements in vitamin D status parallel improvements in HRQOL among healthy community dwellers. The study further suggests that the preventive health program and supplementation with vitamin D are cost-effective interventions.
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-50 University Terrace, 8303 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2T4, Canada.
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JP
Ekwaru
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-50 University Terrace, 8303 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2T4, Canada.
A
A
Ohinmaa
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-50 University Terrace, 8303 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2T4, Canada. paul.veugelers@ualberta.ca.
Paul J
PJ
Veugelers
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
Disease prevention; Health-related quality of life; Intervention; Nutrition; Public health; Vitamin D