J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2016 Jun;20(2):102-107. 10.4235/jkgs.2016.20.2.102.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Nursing Home Elderly in Korea

• Jung HY
• Kim MY
• Kim JM
• Kim DW
• Kim CB

• KMID: 2393021
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/jkgs.2016.20.2.102

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recent studies report that nursing home elderly (NHE) have significantly lower serum levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OHD) than community dwelling elderly (CDE); however, in Korea such studies are lacking. We aimed to compare the vitamin D status between NHE and CDE in Korea.
METHODS
This study included 203 patients over 65 years, admitted to the geriatric department of Seoul Medical Center between 01/2015 and 12/2015. Their medical records were reviewed for demographic data, type of residence, medical and drug history, serum 25-OHD, albumin, creatinine, and calcium levels, and geriatric assessment results. After excluding 36 subjects who had taken vitamin D supplements, anticonvulsants, or steroids, 33 NHE and 134 CDE were included for final analysis.
RESULTS
Almost 80% of subjects showed a vitamin D deficiency (25-OHD <20 ng/mL); 54% were severely deficient (25-OHD <10 ng/mL). NHE had a significantly lower serum 25-OHD level than CDE (5.47±2.95 ng/mL vs. 14.72±11.35 ng/mL, p<0.001). Serum 25-OHD level was related to serum albumin level, the Geriatric Depression Scale score, and the Korean version of the Mini Mental State Examination score (p=0.004, p=0.041, p=0.032, respectively). After adjustment for confounding factors using multiple logistic regression analysis, diagnosis of severe vitamin D deficiency was more likely in NHE than CDE (odds ratio, 8.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-49.81).
CONCLUSION
This study suggests a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Korean NHE. To prevent falls and osteoporotic fractures in this population, vitamin D supplementation should be considered.

Keyword

25-hydroxyvitamin D; Nursing homes; Osteoporosis; Accidental fall

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls
Aged*
Anticonvulsants
Calcium
Creatinine
Depression
Diagnosis
Geriatric Assessment
Humans
Independent Living
Korea*
Logistic Models
Medical Records
Nursing Homes*
Nursing*
Osteoporosis
Osteoporotic Fractures
Prevalence
Seoul
Serum Albumin
Steroids
Vitamin D Deficiency*
Vitamin D*
Vitamins*
Anticonvulsants
Calcium
Creatinine
Serum Albumin
Steroids
Vitamin D
Vitamins