Related Experiment Videos
Underutilization of calcium and vitamin D supplements in an academic long-term care facility
1Geriatrics and Extended Care, St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center, Hot Springs, AR, USA. kamel@pol.net
Background:
Good scientific evidence indicates that calcium and vitamin D supplementation decrease the incidence of osteoporosis-related fractures among institutionalized elderly.
Objective:
The objective was to study the frequency of prescribing calcium and vitamin D supplements in elderly institutionalized individuals in a large community teaching nursing home.
Methods:
A cross-sectional chart review study of 177 consecutively located elderly residents from an 899-bed academic long-term care facility.
Results:
Calcium and vitamin D supplements were prescribed in only 12% and 9% of subjects, respectively. Among subjects with the diagnosis of osteoporosis (n = 12), 66% were prescribed calcium and 58% were prescribed vitamin D supplements. Among subjects with hip fractures (n = 8), only 25% were prescribed calcium with a similar percentage prescribed vitamin D supplements. Female residents were more likely than male residents to receive calcium (P <0.05) and vitamin D supplements (P = 0.08).
Conclusion:
There is a major need to increase the utilization of calcium and vitamin D supplementation among institutionalized elderly to decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures, including hip fractures.
Related Concept Videos
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Essential Minerals for Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...