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Vitamin D Deficiency in Institutionalized Older Adults: Associations with Supplementation Practices but Not with
Larissa David Soares1, Myrella Teixeira Rosales1, Bruna Costa Silveira1
1Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Center of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Catholic University of Pelotas (UCPel), Pelotas 96015-560, RS, Brazil.
Background/Objectives:
Population aging has been accompanied by increased institutionalization of older adults and a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this group. Although the literature suggests a possible relationship between vitamin D and cognition, findings remain inconsistent, particularly in institutional settings. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in institutionalized older adults, emphasizing the role of vitamin D supplementation and length of institutionalization, as well as to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels, cognitive decline, and dementia.
Methods:
A total of 104 older adults living in different long-term care institutions (LTCFs) in the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil, were evaluated. Sociodemographic, clinical, and nutritional data were collected via interviews and medical record review. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were categorized according to the Institute of Medicine cutoffs (<20 ng/mL and ≥20 ng/mL). Cognitive decline was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, and dementia was evaluated with the Clinical Dementia Rating scale. Analyses included bivariate tests and binary logistic regression.
Results:
A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (52.9%), cognitive decline (83.6%), and questionable or mild dementia (79.4%) was observed. In multivariate analysis, vitamin D supplementation remained independently associated with vitamin D deficiency, whereas no significant association was observed between vitamin D levels and cognitive decline or dementia.
Conclusions:
Vitamin D deficiency in institutionalized older adults is predominantly associated with contextual and care-related factors rather than cognitive impairment, highlighting the importance of systematic nutritional monitoring and vitamin D supplementation strategies in institutional settings.
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