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Published on: March 11, 2022
Correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and quadriceps muscle strength in elderly cretans
O E Dretakis1, C Tsatsanis, A Fyrgadis
1Department of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. olga.dretakis@gmail.com
Abstract:
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with osteomalacic myopathy, and muscle weakness related to vitamin D deficiency has been implicated as a possible risk factor for falls in the elderly. This study investigated the possible correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration and quadriceps muscle strength in ambulatory community dwelling Cretan men (n=13) and women (n=35) aged > or = 65 years. Quadriceps muscle strength was measured isometrically using Cybex 6000 apparatus. The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly higher in men than in women (76.00 versus 49.11 nmol/l, respectively). Serum 25(OH)D values were < 50 nmol/l in 15% of men and in 60% of women. Serum 25(OH)D concentration correlated positively with quadriceps muscle strength. In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency was common in the study participants despite the high levels of sunlight in Crete. Serum 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated with muscle strength.
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