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Health News Archive 403 - Aging
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Vitamin D Limits Falls in Elderly

Poor vitamin D status is independently associated with an increased risk of falling in the elderly, particularly in those aged 65–75, according to a study published in the August issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Conducted by researchers in The Netherlands, the prospective cohort study involved 1,231 men and women aged 65 and older participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. They were tracked for one year, during which time 33% fell at least once and just over 11% fell two or more times.

Overall, men and women who were deficient in vitamin D at the outset were 78% more likely than those with adequate levels to fall at least twice. Their risk of falling three or more times was more than doubled.

Vitamin D is important for muscle mass and strength, and compromised muscle function may explain the fall risk seen in this study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Falls frequently occur in the elderly and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to prospectively investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and risk of recurrent falling in older men and women. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. SETTING: An age- and sex-stratified random sample of the Dutch older population was determined. SUBJECTS: Subjects included 1231 men and women (aged 65 yr and older) participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. MEASUREMENTS: Baseline serum 25(OH)D was determined by a competitive protein binding assay. During 1 yr, falls were prospectively recorded by means of a fall calendar. RESULTS: Low 25(OH)D (<10 ng/ml) was associated with an increased risk of falling. After adjustment for age, sex, education level, region, season, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol intake, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.78 (1.06-2.99) for subjects who experienced two falls or more as compared with those who did not fall or fell once and 2.23 (1.17-4.25) for subjects who fell three or more times as compared with those who fell two times or less. There was a statistically significant effect modification by age, and stratified analyses (<75 and > or = 75 yr) showed that the associations were particularly strong in the younger age group; the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 5.21 (2.03-13.40) for two falls or more and 4.96 (1.52-16.23) for three falls or more. CONCLUSIONS: Poor vitamin D status is independently associated with an increased risk of falling in the elderly, particularly in those aged 65-75 yr.

Source: Snijder MB, van Schoor NM, Pluijm SM, van Dam RM, Visser M, Lips P. Vitamin D status in relation to one-year risk of recurrent falling in older men and women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Aug;91(8):2980-5. Epub 2006 May 9.

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