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Severe vitamin D deficiency in the institutionalized elderly.
P D Papapetrou1, M Triantafyllopoulou, A Korakovouni
1Central Clinic of Athens, Athens, Greece. pdpap@otenet.gr
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|November 11, 2008
Summary
Institutionalized elderly in Greece show severe vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Community-dwelling elderly have better vitamin D levels and normal parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Severe vitamin D deficiency is common in institutionalized elderly globally.
- Assessing vitamin D status in this population is crucial for public health.
- Understanding regional differences in vitamin D status is important for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the vitamin D status of institutionalized elderly in southern Greece.
- To compare the vitamin D status of institutionalized elderly with community-dwelling elderly.
- To assess the prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in both groups.
Main Methods:
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured.
- The study included 58 institutionalized elderly (IE) and 48 community-dwelling elderly (CDE).
- Participants were from Kalamata and Athens, Greece, during the summer season.
Main Results:
- Community-dwelling elderly had sufficient vitamin D levels (mean 67.6 nmol/l).
- Institutionalized elderly exhibited severe vitamin D deficiency (mean 19.0 nmol/l).
- 60% of institutionalized elderly had secondary hyperparathyroidism, compared to 10% of community-dwelling elderly.
Conclusions:
- The majority of institutionalized elderly in southern Greece suffer from severe vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism.
- Community-dwelling elderly in the same region had adequate vitamin D status during summer.
- Vitamin D and calcium supplementation is recommended for institutionalized elderly year-round.
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