title: Vitamin D deficiency in an inpatient forensic intellectual disability service.
abstract: No research has examined vitamin D deficiency among inpatients within forensic intellectual disability services, despite their potentially increased risk. Tests of serum 25(OHD) concentration in blood are routinely offered to patients within the service as part of the admission and annual physical health check. Results were classified as deficient <25, insufficient <50, sufficient 50-75 or optimal >75. Deficient or insufficient patients were offered supplement treatment and retested within 6 months. Levels were compared between groups: level of security and gender. At baseline, 87% of patients were deficient or insufficient, whilst 13% were sufficient or optimal. At follow-up, 53% had sufficient or optimal levels. However, some patients remained deficient (13%) or insufficient (34%) due to non-compliance with treatment. Women appeared more likely to be deficient. High levels of vitamin D deficiency were found among this population. Vitamin D screening and treatment is a simple and effective way of improving the physical health of this population.
authors.affiliation: St Johns House, UK.
authors.forename: Verity
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chester
authors.affiliation: Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Hayley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.affiliation: St Johns House, UK.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.affiliation: St Johns House, UK.
authors.forename: Regi T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Vitamin D; developmental disability; learning disability; mental disorder; physical health; secure settings