Vitamin D Prophylaxis in the Elderly: a Simple Effective Method Suitable for Large Populations

Overview

Journal Age Ageing

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 1985 Nov 1

PMID 3878071

Citations 7

Authors

M Davies

E B Mawer

J T Hann

W P Stephens

J L Taylor

Affiliations

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Abstract

A comparison of two regimens of vitamin D prophylaxis in elderly institutionalized subjects has been made. Sixty-six subjects received 2.5mg vitamin D2 by mouth in December 1982; a further group of 62 received the same dose in December 1982 and again in June 1983. Blood samples have been analysed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 [25(OH)D2] in 10 subjects from each group over a 12-month period. The serum 25(OH)D2 was maintained at normal concentrations for most of the year in the once-a-year dosage group but at the end of 12 months only 60% were fully protected. The twice-per-year regimen offered complete protection maintaining the serum 25(OH)D2 above the threshold associated with osteomalacia. It is concluded that a twice-yearly regimen of vitamin D supplementation is a practical method for prophylaxis in institutionalized elderly people.

Citing Articles

The effect of a single dose versus a daily dose of cholecalciferol on the serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and parathyroid hormone levels in the elderly with secondary hyperparathyroidism living in a low-income housing unit.

Premaor M, Scalco R, da Silva M, Froehlich P, Furlanetto T J Bone Miner Metab. 2008; 26(6):603-8.

PMID: 18979160 DOI: 10.1007/s00774-008-0858-0.

Preventing fractures among older people living in institutional care: a pragmatic randomised double blind placebo controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation.

Lyons R, Johansen A, Brophy S, Newcombe R, Phillips C, Lervy B Osteoporos Int. 2007; 18(6):811-8.

PMID: 17473911 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-006-0309-5.

Vitamin D insufficiency in congestive heart failure: why and what to do about it?.

Zittermann A, Schleithoff S, Koerfer R Heart Fail Rev. 2006; 11(1):25-33.

PMID: 16819575 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-006-9190-8.

Vitamin D supplementation in the elderly: review of safety and effectiveness of different regimes.

Byrne P, Freaney R, McKenna M Calcif Tissue Int. 1995; 56(6):518-20.

PMID: 7648477 DOI: 10.1007/BF00298580.

Subnutrition in the elderly.

MacLennan W Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1986; 293(6556):1189-90.

PMID: 3096425 PMC: 1341974. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.293.6556.1189.