scholarly journals Sex-specific association of serum vitamin D levels with physical function in older adults

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 751-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.-T. L. Dam ◽  
D. von Mühlen ◽  
E. L. Barrett-Connor
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 22-39
Author(s):  
Ray Marks

Background Falls injuries continue to contribute to numerous premature deaths as well as high disability levels, and excess morbidity rates among older adults, worldwide. But can vitamin D account for excess falls injuries among older adults? This review specifically focuses on what is known about vitamin D in the context of postural stability or balance control, both fairly consistent independent predictors of falls among older adults. Methods and Procedures Drawn largely from a review of current relevant English language peer reviewed research publications published over the last 10 years detailing the relationship between vitamin D levels and balance control among the elderly, as this relates to falls injuries, evidence for any emerging consensus on this controversial topic was sought. Used to conduct the search were various key word combinations including: falls injuries and older adults, vitamin D or vitamin D deficiency and balance or postural control. The database used predominantly to provide input into this largely descriptive assessment and narrative overview was PUBMED. Results The prevailing data show falls injuries currently constitute a widespread costly major impediment to successful aging and longevity for many older adults, despite numerous efforts to prevent this disabling set of events over the past two to three decades. However, no consistent association appears to exist between the variables of vitamin D, falls, and balance attributes in the older population-despite years of research, regardless of study approach, and a strong rationale for hypothesizing a clinically meaningful relationship. Conclusion It is not possible to arrive at any universal recommendation concerning the value of vitamin D supplementation as regards its possible influence on balance capacity among older adults in the realm of falls prevention efforts, as has been frequently proposed. However, until more definitive research is conducted, there still appears sufficient justification for considering the screening of vulnerable aging adults for serum vitamin D levels, along with balance impairments, and intervening as required in the case of deficits in either or both of these possible falls determinants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Namutebi ◽  
James Kayima ◽  
Mark Kaddumukasa

Abstract Background Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among patients with osteoarthritis. It is associated with joint pain, stiffness and worse physical function. Whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with osteoarthritis is controversial. We investigated serum vitamin D levels and its association with symptom severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods Between January 2020 to March and May 2020, we conducted a cross sectional study at a national referral hospital in Uganda. Using the American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria, 107 consenting adults were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. A questionnaire captured patient demographics and clinical characteristics. Joint pain, stiffness and physical function severity were assessed and graded based on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). We determined serum vitamin D levels by electrochemilumniscence immunoassay. The data were analysed and adjusted for age, sex, education, occupation, family history, body mass index (BMI) and calcium supplementation. Results Of the 107 patients, 92 (86%) patients were females, mean (SD) age was 58.1 (12.6) years. Nearly 65% of the patients had suboptimal serum vitamin D levels < 30 ng/ml. The median (Q1, Q3) WOMAC joint scores were as follows: pain 8.0 (5, 11), stiffness 1 (0, 2), physical function 29.0 (16, 41) and total WOMAC 39.0 (21, 54). Spearman correlations between serum vitamin D levels with symptom severity were as follows: joint pain (r = 0.18, p = 0.06), stiffness (r = 0.13, p = 0.17), physical function (r = 0.09, p = 0.36) and total WOMAC (r = 0.13, p = 0.19). Conclusion Serum vitamin D levels are not associated with joint pain, stiffness and physical function severity. Older age and higher BMI are associated with vitamin D deficiency in patients with knee osteoarthritis attending a national referral hospital rheumatology clinic in Uganda. Suboptimal vitamin D is an independent risk factor for total mortality in the general population. Clinical guidelines and further studies to determine age and BMI ranges required for vitamin D screening are needed in patients with osteoarthritis in Uganda. Patients are advised to keep a normal BMI.


2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 346-352
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Pilone ◽  
Salvatore Tramontano ◽  
Carmen Cutolo ◽  
Federica Marchese ◽  
Antonio Maria Pagano ◽  
...  

Abstract. We aim to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in patients scheduled for bariatric surgery (BS), and to identify factors that might be associated with VDD. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving all consecutive patients scheduled for BS from 2017 to 2019. The exclusion criteria were missing data for vitamin D levels, intake of vitamin D supplements in the 3 months prior to serum vitamin D determination, and renal insufficiency. A total of 206 patients (mean age and body mass index [BMI] of 34.9 ± 10.7 years, and 44.3 ± 6.99 kg/m2, respectively) met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled for data analysis. VDD (<19.9 ng/mL), severe VDD (<10 ng/mL), and vitamin D insufficiency (20–29.9 ng/mL) were present in 68.8 %, 12.5 %, and 31.2 % of patients, respectively. A significant inverse correlation was found between vitamin D levels and initial BMI, parathyroid hormone, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (r = −0.280, p < 0.05; r = −0.407, p = 0.038; r = −0.445, p = 0.005), respectively. VDD was significantly more prevalent in patients with higher BMI [−0.413 ± 0.12, CI95 % (−0.659; −0.167), p = 0.006], whereas no significant association between hypertension [−1.005 ± 1.65, CI95 % (−4.338; 2.326), p = 0.001], and diabetes type 2 (T2D) [−0.44 ± 2.20, CI95 % (−4.876; 3.986), p = 0.841] was found. We observed significant association between female sex and levels of vitamin D [6.69 ± 2.31, CI95 % (2.06; 11.33), p = 0.006]. The present study shows that in patients scheduled for BS, VDD deficiency is common and was associated with higher BMI, and female sex.


Background: The risk factors for asthma exacerbations are well understood. However, the effect of vitamin D levels on number of asthma exacerbations per year is not clearly studied. The objective of the study was to find out the association of serum vitamin D levels and asthma risk factors on asthma exacerbations. Methods: In this study, ninety-nine subjects from 5 to 15 years of age were recruited at an episode of acute exacerbation. It was a cross sectional study and carried out from 2012 to 2015. Pulmonary function test was done by spirometry. Asthma exacerbation was labeled when forced expiratory volume/ forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio was less than 80% (American Thoracic Society). Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines were used to classify asthma into mild, moderate and severe persistent asthma. Serum vitamin D levels were measured by chemiluminescence method. Pearson Chi-square test was applied and p value (p<0.05) was considered as statistically significant. Results: Children who had exposure to animal dander had significantly lower asthma exacerbations per year (p-value <0.046). There was no significant association between vitamin D levels and number of exacerbations per years (p-value <0.099). Asthma was prevalent in girls of low socioeconomic status (SES) compared to males. However, there was no significant association between smoke, exercise, home environment, food allergies, weather, pollen and dust with asthma exacerbations. Conclusion: Low levels of vitamin D were not associated with increased number of asthma exacerbations per year. However, children exposed to animal dander had lesser number of exacerbations per year (p-value <0.046). Keywords: Asthma; Vitamin D; Children; Exacerbations, Risk factors.


Pathology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. S40
Author(s):  
Michael B. Theophilos ◽  
Catherine Lynch ◽  
Jasmina Nguyen ◽  
Ken A. Sikaris

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