Journal article
Vitamin D Deficiency in Community Older Adults with Falls of Gait Imbalance: An Under-Recognized Problem in the Inner City
Journal of nutrition for the elderly, Vol.25(1), pp.7-19
07/24/2006
DOI: 10.1300/J052v25n01_03
PMID: 16891260
Abstract
Introduction. Recent reports suggest that vitamin D deficiency is both under-recognized and undertreated in the geriatric population. In particular, older adults with unexplained pain, falls and gait disorders often may have osteomalacia from vitamin D deficiency. Currently, older adults are not screened for vitamin D status even when clinical skin suggest deficiency. Our pilot study determined the vitamin D status in older, inner city community adults with features suggestive of vitamin D deficiency.
Methods. The study was prospective and observational. Communitydwelling adults (> 60 years) from our ambulatory clinic or in-patient geriatric program, with features compatible with vitamin D deficiency (history of falls, gait imbalance, unexplained musculoskeletal pain, and/or fractures), were enrolled. IRB approval and signed informed consents were obtained. Following a history and physical exam, blood samples for vitamin D assay and routine chemistries were obtained. Additional information was collected on age, gender, race, dairy product intake, calcium and/or vitamin D supplement use, weekly sunlight exposure, season of exam (May-October vs. November-April), prior falls and fractures, musculoskeletal pain, and gait disturbances.
Methods. The study was prospective and observational. Communitydwelling adults (> 60 years) from our ambulatory clinic or in-patient geriatric program, with features compatible with vitamin D deficiency (history of falls, gait imbalance, unexplained musculoskeletal pain, and/or fractures), were enrolled. IRB approval and signed informed consents were obtained. Following a history and physical exam, blood samples for vitamin D assay and routine chemistries were obtained. Additional information was collected on age, gender, race, dairy product intake, calcium and/or vitamin D supplement use, weekly sunlight exposure, season of exam (May-October vs. November-April), prior falls and fractures, musculoskeletal pain, and gait disturbances.
Conclusion. In this pilot study of older adults with gait imbalance and falls, vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) was observed in 54% of patients tested and previously unrecognized. Higher serum vitamin D levels appeared related to the use of vitamin D (in multivitamin or calcium supplements) suggesting that deficiency may be preventable and easily treated. As vitamin D deficiency is associated with substantial disability, the need for increased awareness to screen and prevent this disorder is evident.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Vitamin D Deficiency in Community Older Adults with Falls of Gait Imbalance: An Under-Recognized Problem in the Inner City
- Creators
- T. S Dharmarajan - Department of Medicine , Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center BronxM Akula - Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program , Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center BronxS Kuppachi - University Hospital of New York Medical CollegeEdward P Norkus - Medical Research , Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, Bronx
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of nutrition for the elderly, Vol.25(1), pp.7-19
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group
- DOI
- 10.1300/J052v25n01_03
- PMID
- 16891260
- ISSN
- 0163-9366
- eISSN
- 1540-8566
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/24/2006
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Nephrology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984093465302771
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