Posted by: Kevin G. Parker, D.C.
Pub Med. Gov: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2012 May 9. [Epub ahead of print]
Low 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Predicts the Onset of Mobility Limitation and Disability in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Health ABC Study.-Houston DK, Neiberg RH, Tooze JA, Hausman DB, Johnson MA, Cauley JA, Bauer DC, Shea MK, Schwartz GG, Williamson JD, Harris TB, Kritchevsky SB; for the Health ABC Study.
Source-Sticht Center on Aging, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1207. dhouston@wakehealth.edu.
Key points:
A 6 year study published in above linked article- was conducted by a team of researchers led by Dr. Denise Houston from the Wake Forest School of Medicine in North-Carolina.
They found that Vit D deficiencies were associated with an approximately 30% increased risk of mobility limitations among older adults… and an approximately 2 times increased risk of disabilitys.
Abstract
CONCLUSIONS:
Low 25(OH)D was associated with an increased risk of mobility limitation and disability in community-dwelling, initially well-functioning black and white older adults. Prevention or treatment of low 25(OH)D may provide a pathway for reducing the burden of mobility disability in older adults.
BACKGROUND:
Although low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is prevalent among older adults and is associated with poor physical function, longitudinal studies examining vitamin D status and physical function are lacking. We examined the association between 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and the onset of mobility limitation and disability over 6 years of follow-up in community-dwelling, initially well-functioning older adults participating in the Health, Aging and Body Composition study (n = 2,099).
METHODS:
Serum 25(OH)D and PTH were measured at the 12-month follow-up visit (1998-1999). Mobility limitation and disability (any/severe difficulty walking 1/4 mile or climbing 10 steps) was assessed semiannually over 6 years of follow-up. The association between 25(OH)D, PTH, and mobility limitation and disability was examined using Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for demographics, season, behavioral characteristics, and chronic conditions.
RESULTS:
At baseline, 28.9% of the participants had 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L and 36.1% had 25(OH)D of 50 to <75 nmol/L. Participants with 25(OH)D <50 and 50 to <75 nmol/L were at greater risk of developing mobility limitation (HR (95% CI): 1.29 (1.04-1.61) and 1.27 (1.05-1.53), respectively) and mobility disability (HR (95% CI): 1.93 (1.32-2.81) and 1.30 (0.92-1.83), respectively) over 6 years of follow-up compared with participants with 25(OH)D ≥75 nmol/L. Elevated PTH, however, was not significantly associated with developing mobility limitation or disability.
Other good Vit D articles:
Vit D for Balance-Postural Stability-J Nutr Health Aging 2012
Vit D for Cancer Prevention-Annals of Epidemiology 2009
Vit D- Reduction in breast cancer risk-Cancer Causes Ctrl 2010
Vit D2 versus D3-Meta Analysis-John J. Cannell, M.D.
Vit D3 and the Flu-Epidemiology and Infection-2007
Vit. D- The Food and Nutrition Board has failed millions
Vit. D-What We Have Learned About Vitamin D Dosing
Vitamin D Supplementation: An Update-U.S. Pharmacist 11/11/2010
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