scholarly journals Vitamin D and bone health outcomes in older age

2013 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom R. Hill ◽  
Terence J. Aspray ◽  
Roger M. Francis

The aim of this review is to summarise the evidence linking vitamin D to bone health outcomes in older adults. A plethora of scientific evidence globally suggests that large proportions of people have vitamin D deficiency and are not meeting recommended intakes. Older adults are at particular risk of the consequences of vitamin D deficiency owing to a combination of physiological and behavioural factors. Epidemiological studies show that low vitamin D status is associated with a variety of negative skeletal consequences in older adults including osteomalacia, reduced bone mineral density, impaired Ca absorption and secondary hyperparathyroidism. There seems to be inconsistent evidence for a protective role of vitamin D supplementation alone on bone mass. However, it is generally accepted that vitamin D (17·5 μg/d) in combination with Ca (1200 mg/d) reduces bone loss among older white subjects. Evidence for a benefit of vitamin D supplementation alone on reducing fracture risk is varied. According to a recent Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality review in the USA the evidence base shows mixed results for a beneficial effect of vitamin D on decreasing overall fracture risk. Limitations such as poor compliance with treatment, incomplete assessment of vitamin D status and large drop-out rates however, have been highlighted within some studies. In conclusion, it is generally accepted that vitamin D in combination with Ca reduces the risk of non-vertebral fractures particularly those in institutional care. The lack of data on vitamin D and bone health outcomes in certain population groups such as diverse racial groups warrants attention.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia L. Wilson-Barnes ◽  
Julie E. A. Hunt ◽  
Emma L. Williams ◽  
Sarah J. Allison ◽  
James J. Wild ◽  
...  

Abstract Vitamin D deficiency has been commonly reported in elite athletes, but the vitamin D status of UK university athletes in different training environments remains unknown. The present study aimed to determine any seasonal changes in vitamin D status among indoor and outdoor athletes, and whether there was any relationship between vitamin D status and indices of physical performance and bone health. A group of forty-seven university athletes (indoor n 22, outdoor n 25) were tested during autumn and spring for serum vitamin D status, bone health and physical performance parameters. Blood samples were analysed for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) status. Peak isometric knee extensor torque using an isokinetic dynamometer and jump height was assessed using an Optojump. Aerobic capacity was estimated using the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans measured radial bone mineral density. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate parametric/non-parametric testing depending on the normality of the data. s-25(OH)D significantly fell between autumn (52·8 (sd 22·0) nmol/l) and spring (31·0 (sd 16·5) nmol/l; P < 0·001). In spring, 34 % of participants were considered to be vitamin D deficient (<25 nmol/l) according to the revised 2016 UK guidelines. These data suggest that UK university athletes are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Thus, further research is warranted to investigate the concomitant effects of low vitamin D status on health and performance outcomes in university athletes residing at northern latitudes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 89-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Hill ◽  
Terry J. Aspray

This review summarises aspects of vitamin D metabolism, the consequences of vitamin D deficiency, and the impact of vitamin D supplementation on musculoskeletal health in older age. With age, changes in vitamin D exposure, cutaneous vitamin D synthesis and behavioural factors (including physical activity, diet and sun exposure) are compounded by changes in calcium and vitamin D pathophysiology with altered calcium absorption, decreased 25-OH vitamin D [25(OH)D] hydroxylation, lower renal fractional calcium reabsorption and a rise in parathyroid hormone. Hypovitaminosis D is common and associated with a risk of osteomalacia, particularly in older adults, where rates of vitamin D deficiency range from 10–66%, depending on the threshold of circulating 25(OH)D used, population studied and season. The relationship between vitamin D status and osteoporosis is less clear. While circulating 25(OH)D has a linear relationship with bone mineral density (BMD) in some epidemiological studies, this is not consistent across all racial groups. The results of randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation on BMD are also inconsistent, and some studies may be less relevant to the older population, as, for example, half of participants in the most robust meta-analysis were aged under 60 years. The impact on BMD of treating vitamin D deficiency (and osteomalacia) is also rarely considered in such intervention studies. When considering osteoporosis, fracture risk is our main concern, but vitamin D therapy has no consistent fracture-prevention effect, except in studies where calcium is coprescribed (particularly in frail populations living in care homes). As a J-shaped effect on falls and fracture risk is becoming evident with vitamin D interventions, we should target those at greatest risk who may benefit from vitamin D supplementation to decrease falls and fractures, although the optimum dose is still unclear.


2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Ben-Shoshan

This review summarizes studies discussing vitamin D status in adults and reveals that vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is highly prevalent in adults and that current fortification and supplementation policies are inadequate. Background and aims: Studies suggest a crucial role for adequate vitamin D status in various health conditions including bone metabolism, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and allergies. However, relatively little is known about poor vitamin D status and unmet needs in adults. This report aims to highlight the contribution of epidemiologic studies (through the identification of health effects and societal burden) to the development of vitamin D fortification and supplementation policies and reveal unmet global challenges in adults. Methods: In order to assess worldwide vitamin D status in adults, the search strategy combined the medical literature database MEDLINE (using PubMed) for the time period between January 1, 1980 and February 28, 2011, using the key words “vitamin D” “deficiency” and “insufficiency”, and included articles in which access to full text was possible and in which healthy adults were assessed according to one of four commonly used vitamin D threshold classifications. Results: This report reveals that vitamin D deficiency occurs in 4.10 % [95 % CI (confidence interval), 3.93 %, 4.27 %] to 55.05 % (54.07 %, 56.03 %) of adults, while insufficiency occurs in 26.07 % (24.82 %, 27.33 %) to 78.50 % (77.85 %, 79.16 %), depending on the classification used. However, lack of overlap in CIs and high value of I2 statistics indicate considerable heterogeneity between studies. Further, certain populations (i. e. dark-skinned individuals, immigrants, and pregnant women) may be at higher risk for poor vitamin D status. Conclusion: Current policies for vitamin D supplementation and fortification are inadequate and new guidelines are required to improve vitamin D status in adults.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Signe Monrad Nørgaard ◽  
Christine Dalgård ◽  
Malene Søborg Heidemann ◽  
Anders Jørgen Schou ◽  
Henrik Thybo Christesen

Abstract Vitamin D supplementation in infancy is recommended to prevent rickets. At the population level, its effects on bone mineralisation are largely unknown. We aimed to explore whether adherence to national vitamin D supplementation guidelines (10 µg/day up to age 2 years), supplementation at ages 5 and 7 years, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) at various time points associated with bone mineral density (BMD) at age 7 years in the Odense Child Cohort, Denmark (n=1,194). High adherence was defined as supplementation with 10 µg vitamin D 6-7 times per week during ≥ 80 % of the observation time. S-25(OH)D was analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Total-body-less-head (TBLH) BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. At median age 18.1 months, 53.9 % (n=475/881) reported high adherence. The median s-25(OH)D was 64.7, 78.8, 46.0, and 71.8 nmol/l in early pregnancy, late pregnancy, cord blood, and at 5 years, respectively. The mean (SD) TBLH BMD at median age 7.1 years was 0.613 (0.049) g/cm2 (z-score +0.363 (0.824)). In adjusted analyses, vitamin D supplementation up to 18 months, and at 5 and 7 years, was not associated with TBLH BMD. Similarly, no robust associations were found between TBLH BMD and s-25(OH)D at any time point. No associations were found for TBLH bone mineral concentration or bone area. In this population with relatively high s-25(OH)D concentrations, no consistent associations were found between adherence to vitamin D supplementation recommendations or vitamin D status in pregnancy or childhood, and bone mineralisation at age 7 years.


Author(s):  
Yogiraj Vaijanathrao Chidre ◽  
Amir Babansab Shaikh

Background: Osteoporosis is a common age related problem especially in women, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Apart from Calcium, another nutrient that plays an important role in the mineralization of skeleton in Vitamin D. Osteocalcin, which is produced primarily by osteoblasts during bone formation, is considered to be one of the markers for osteoporosis.Methods: 314 women above the age of 40 were included into the study. A thorough physical and clinical examination, assessment of vital parameters, anthropometry evaluation was done for all patients. Bone mineral density was calculated using central DXA osteodensitometer at lumbar spine L1-L4, hip and ultradistal radius (in some cases.). Blood samples were taken for the detection of ionized calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, 25hydroxivitamin D (25 ODH) and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) by chemiluminiscent assay. Bone markers such as osteocalcin were measured as required.Results: Out of the 314 women attending our OPD, 96 of them were diagnosed as having osteoporosis. 24 out of them had fragility fractures, mainly of the hip, and 82 had ostepenia. Elevated levels of calcium (8.96 mg/dl), parathyroid hormone (58.76 pg/ml) and osteocalcin (24.46 ng/ml) were observed. Vitamin D deficiency of ≤ 20 was seen in 59 (63%) of the cases, insufficient in 23 (24%) and only 12 (13%) of these women had normal Vitamin D levels.Conclusions: Osteocalcin is a promising marker for the detection of osteoporosis. There is a considerable Vitamin D deficiency among the women with osteoporosis, and it is under-treated. It is essential to provide Vitamin D supplementation to these women especially those who are at high risk for fragility fractures.


2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 572-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marília Brasilio Rodrigues Camargo ◽  
llda Sizue Kunii ◽  
Lilian Fukusima Hayashi ◽  
Patrícia Muszkat ◽  
Catherine Gusman Anelli ◽  
...  

Objectives To evaluate the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in Brazilian osteoporotic patients and the modifiable factors of vitamin D status in this population. Subjects and methods In a cross-sectional study, 363 community-dwelling patients who sought specialized medical care were evaluated between autumn and spring in São Paulo, Brazil. Serum levels of 25(OH)D and parathormone (PTH), biochemical and anthropometric measurements, and bone density scans were obtained. The group was assessed using two questionnaires: one questionnaire covered lifestyle and dietary habits, skin phototype, sun exposure, medical conditions, and levels of vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol); the other questionnaire assessed health-related quality-of-life. Logistic regression and a decision tree were used to assess the association between the variables and the adequacy of vitamin D status. Results The mean age of the overall sample was 67.9 ± 8.6 years, and the mean 25(OH)D concentration was 24.8 ng/mL. The prevalence of inadequate vitamin D status was high (73.3%), although 81.5% of the subjects were receiving cholecalciferol (mean dose of 8,169 IU/week). 25(OH)D was positively correlated with femoral neck bone mineral density and negatively correlated with PTH. In the multivariate analysis, the dose of cholecalciferol, engagement in physical activity and the month of the year (September) were associated with improvement in vitamin D status. Conclusions In this osteoporotic population, vitamin D supplementation of 7,000 IU/week is not enough to reach the desired 25(OH)D concentration (≥ 30 ng/mL). Engagement in physical activity and the month of the year are modifiable factors of the vitamin D status in this population.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Walsh ◽  
Tom Fahey ◽  
Frank Moriarty

ABSTRACTPurposeGaps in pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis can reduce effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate persistence rates for oral bisphosphonates and denosumab in older primary care patients and identify factors associated with discontinuation.MethodsOlder patients newly prescribed oral bisphosphonates or denosumab between 2012 and 2017 were identified from 44 general practices (GP) in Ireland. Persistence without a coverage gap of >90 days was calculated for both medications from therapy initiation. Factors associated with time to discontinuation were explored using Cox regression analysis. Exposures included age-group, osteoporosis diagnosis, fracture history, calcium/vitamin D prescription, number of other medications, health cover, dosing frequency (bisphosphonates) and previous bone-health medication (denosumab).ResultsOf 41,901 patients, n=1,569 newly initiated on oral bisphosphonates and n=1,615 on denosumab. Two-year persistence was 49.4% for oral bisphosphonates and 53.8% for denosumab and <10% were switched to other medication. Having state-funded health cover was associated with a lower hazard of discontinuation for both oral bisphosphonates (HR=0.49, 95%CI=0.36-0.66, p<0.01) and denosumab (HR=0.71, 95%CI=0.57-0.89, p<0.01). Older age-group, number of medications and calcium/vitamin D prescription were also associated with better bisphosphonate persistence while having osteoporosis diagnosed was associated with better denosumab persistence.ConclusionPersistence for osteoporosis medications is sub-optimal. Of concern, few patients are switched to other bone-health treatments when denosumab is stopped which could increase fracture risk. Free access to GP services and medications may have resulted in better medication persistence in this cohort. Future research should explore prescribing choices in primary-care osteoporosis management and evaluate cost-effectiveness of interventions for improving persistence.SUMMARYGaps in pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis can reduce its effectiveness. This study found approximately half of older adults in primary care newly initiated on bisphosphonates or denosumab were still taking these after 2 years. Abrupt discontinuation of denosumab without switching to an alternative is concerning due to increased fracture risk.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1109-1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Bouillon ◽  
Claudio Marcocci ◽  
Geert Carmeliet ◽  
Daniel Bikle ◽  
John H White ◽  
...  

AbstractThe etiology of endemic rickets was discovered a century ago. Vitamin D is the precursor of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and other metabolites, including 1,25(OH)2D, the ligand for the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The effects of the vitamin D endocrine system on bone and its growth plate are primarily indirect and mediated by its effect on intestinal calcium transport and serum calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Rickets and osteomalacia can be prevented by daily supplements of 400 IU of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D <50 nmol/L) accelerates bone turnover, bone loss, and osteoporotic fractures. These risks can be reduced by 800 IU of vitamin D together with an appropriate calcium intake, given to institutionalized or vitamin D–deficient elderly subjects. VDR and vitamin D metabolic enzymes are widely expressed. Numerous genetic, molecular, cellular, and animal studies strongly suggest that vitamin D signaling has many extraskeletal effects. These include regulation of cell proliferation, immune and muscle function, skin differentiation, and reproduction, as well as vascular and metabolic properties. From observational studies in human subjects, poor vitamin D status is associated with nearly all diseases predicted by these extraskeletal actions. Results of randomized controlled trials and Mendelian randomization studies are supportive of vitamin D supplementation in reducing the incidence of some diseases, but, globally, conclusions are mixed. These findings point to a need for continued ongoing and future basic and clinical studies to better define whether vitamin D status can be optimized to improve many aspects of human health. Vitamin D deficiency enhances the risk of osteoporotic fractures and is associated with many diseases. We review what is established and what is plausible regarding the health effects of vitamin D.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document