title: Relevance of vitamin D in the pathogenesis and therapy of frailty.
abstract: This article reviews recently published evidence regarding the role of vitamin D in the physiopathology of physical frailty in elderly populations and its role in the management of this geriatric condition.
  
  
  
  Some recent studies have found a low level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, considered the best marker of vitamin D status, in frail individuals. All prospective studies consistently report that low vitamin D status is associated with an increased risk of becoming frail. Recent studies also suggest that the relationship between vitamin D status and frailty is largely mediated by the development of sarcopenia. Very few well designed randomized controlled trials are available that assess the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention or management of frailty. In the absence of specific guidelines, a minimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 75 nmol/l is proposed for frail elderly patients by some scientific societies. The doses necessary to reach this target are between 800 and 2000 IU/day.
  
  
  
  Several studies suggest a potential effect of vitamin D on physical frailty but large clinical trials are lacking at this time to provide solid evidence of clinical benefit.
authors.affiliation: aResearch Unit in Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège bDepartment of Clinical Chemistry, University of Liège, CHU Sart-Tilman, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bruyère
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cavalier
authors.forename: Fanny
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buckinx
authors.forename: Jean-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Reginster
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D000073496:Frailty / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D