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Attention is needed to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in our older population
S J Ley1, C C Horwath, J M Stewart
1Department of Community Health, University of Auckland.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in females residing in one large, aged-care facility in Auckland. Thirty-nine residents, most of whom were able to go outdoors without assistance, were tested for midwinter 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and, of these, 36 were tested again in midsummer. The prevalence of frank hypovitaminosis (<10 microg/L) was found to be 49% in midwinter and 33% in midsummer. The vitamin D status of such at-risk individuals could be normalised either by 15-30 minutes of daily sun exposure or, alternatively, a programme of supplementation.
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