Vitamin D levels in a nursing home (Austria) – Oct 2023

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Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in seniors - A retrospective study

Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2023 Oct;57:691-696. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.07.005
Stefan Haitchi 1, Paula Moliterno 2, Kurt Widhalm 3

Background & aims: Vitamin D deficiency is a condition with different causes. It is associated with numerous comorbidities such as autoimmune diseases, bone diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric diseases, and respiratory infections like COVID-19. Due to its high prevalence all over the world, it is a major task for health care systems worldwide. Through a combination of low sunlight exposure, insufficient nutrition, and age-related changes in skin, liver, and kidney function, especially seniors and nursing home residents, in particular, have a significantly increased risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] < 12 ng/ml) amongst selected Austrian nursing home seniors. It also examined whether demographic data and other laboratory values like calcium correlate with vitamin D levels by using the Pearson correlation coefficient. This correlation was graphically illustrated with a scatter plot and regression line. A total of 478 patients admitted to a nursing home in Vienna between January 3, 2017, and August 31, 2020, were included.

Results: A total of 106 seniors (22,2%) suffered from a manifest vitamin D deficiency. The vitamin D level of the men was significantly lower than the level of the women (22.9 ± 12.6 ng/ml vs. 26.2 ± 14.8 ng/ml, p = 0.027). The vitamin D serum levels significantly correlated with the serum calcium levels of the participants (r = 0.19, p < 0.001). 39.5% (189 out of 478) of the nursing home residents had inadequate serum vitamin D levels.

Conclusions: In summary, it can be said that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among nursing home residents is considerably high. Inadequate vitamin D levels were often associated with reduced calcium levels. Given the high prevalence, the numerous negative health consequences of inadequate levels, and the large therapeutic index, this risk group should get a general supplementation with a dose of 25 μg (1000 IU) vitamin D3 per day. In addition, a blood examination should be performed as early as three months after the start of the supplementation therapy. If some residents do not achieve an adequate vitamin D concentration, the substitution has to be adapted to the individual needs to treat them as precisely as possible.
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Vitamin D Life – Seniors contains:

428 items in Seniors

see also
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Overview Osteoporosis and vitamin D
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Frailty and Vitamin D - many studies many studies
Nursing homes and Vitamin D - many studies
13 reasons why many seniors need more vitamin D (both dose and level) - July 2023 has:

1. Senior skin produces 4X less Vitamin D for the same sun intensity
2. Seniors have fewer vitamin D receptor genes as they age
   Receptors are needed to get Vitamin D in blood actually into the cells
3. Many other Vitamin D genes decrease with age
4. Since many gene activations are not detected by a blood test,
   more Vitamin D is often needed, especially by seniors
5. Seniors are indoors more than when they were younger
   not as agile, weaker muscles; frail, no longer enjoy hot temperatures
6. Seniors wear more clothing outdoors than when younger
   Seniors also are told to fear skin cancer & wrinkles
7. Seniors often take various drugs which end up reducing vitamin D
   Some reductions are not detected by a vitamin D test of the blood
   statins, chemotherapy, anti-depressants, blood pressure, beta-blockers, etc
8. Seniors often have one or more diseases that consume vitamin D
   osteoporosis, diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, ...
9. Seniors generally put on weight as they age - and a heavier body requires more vitamin D
10. Seniors often (40%) have fatty livers – which do not process vitamin D as well
11. Reduced stomach acid means less Magnesium is available to get vitamin D into the cells
12. Vitamin D is not as bioavailable in senior intestines
13. Seniors with poorly functioning kidneys do not process vitamin D as well
       Seniors category has 428 items

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See also Nursing homes and Vitamin D - many studies 24+ studies

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Vitamin D Life - 17 studies in both categories Seniors and Deficiency

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