Publication: Prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency and low bone mineral density in elderly Thai nursing home residents
Issued Date
2012
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eng
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Mahidol University
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BioMed Central
Bibliographic Citation
BMC Geriatrics. Vol. 12, (2012), 49
Suggested Citation
Anuk Kruavit, La-or Chailurkit, Ammarin Thakkinstian, Chutintorn Sriphrapradang, Rajata Rajatanavin Prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency and low bone mineral density in elderly Thai nursing home residents. BMC Geriatrics. Vol. 12, (2012), 49. doi:10.1186/1471-2318-12-49 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/2694
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Title
Prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency and low bone mineral density in elderly Thai nursing home residents
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Abstract
Background: Numerous emerging data from research on osteoporosis among Asians found differences from
Caucasians. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and
osteoporosis in elderly participants from two nursing homes in Thailand, a country located near the equator.
Methods: The subjects of this cross-sectional study comprised 93 elderly Thai women who were living in
institutional long-term nursing homes for the aged. Demographic data, daily food and calcium intake, physical
activity, and sunlight exposure were measured. Lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) and
biochemical levels including serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and bone turnover markers were assessed.
Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as 25(OH)D level < 70 nmol/l.
Results: The mean age of subjects was 75.2 ± 6.0 (SD) years. Dietary calcium intake was low (322 ± 158 mg/day) The
mean 25(OH)D level was 64.3 ± 14.9 nmol/L and the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 38.7% (95% CI:
28.8%, 49.4%). There was no correlation between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and age (r = −.11, p = 0.3). The
mean BMD of lumbar spine and femoral neck were 0.92 ± 0.19 and 0.65 ± 0.10 g/cm2, respectively. Nearly a half of
the subjects had osteopenia (44.1%, 95% CI: 33.8%, 54.8%) and osteoporosis (47.3%, 95% CI: 36.9%, 57.9%).
Circulating C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx) level correlated significantly with both lumbar spine
(r = −0.26, p = 0.01) and femoral neck BMD (r = −0.25, p = 0.02).
Conclusions: More than one-third of Thai elderly women residing in nursing homes had vitamin D insufficiency.
Almost all nursing home residents had osteoporosis and/or osteopenia.