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Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to physical limitations in elderly
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Older patients with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have functional limitations, thus increasing their risk for mortality, according to researchers in the Netherlands.
In a study recently accepted for publication in the Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Evelien Sohl, MSc, of VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, and colleagues wrote that previous research on the association between vitamin D status and functional limitations is scarce and inconclusive.
“Vitamin D may influence muscle strength through genomic and non-genomic pathways. It has been known that vitamin D receptors exist on muscle cells. By binding to this receptor more than 300 genes can be activated. The active metabolite, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D, may influence muscle fiber proliferation and differentiation,” the researchers wrote. “Although the current study is not designed to determine the direction of the relationship, the results of the longitudinal analyses, the known presence of vitamin D receptors on muscle cells and the positive effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle function, at least suggest a potential positive effect of vitamin D on functional performance.”
Sohl and colleagues utilized data from two independent cohorts of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, including patients aged 65 to 88 years (older cohort, n=1,237; baseline 1995) and patients aged 55 to 65 years (younger cohort, n=725; baseline 2002).
According to data, 56% of the older cohort and 30% of the younger cohort demonstrated one or more limitations. Their vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D <20 ng/mL) vs. the reference group (>30 ng/mL) was related to the presence of functional limitations at baseline for the older patients (OR=1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.5) and younger patients (OR=2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.7).
Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency was linked to an increase in limitations at 3 years in the older patients (OR=2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.5). However, vitamin D deficiencies in the younger patient group was associated with an increase in limitations at 6 years (OR=3.3; 95% CI, 1.1-10.1), researchers wrote.
“The findings indicate low vitamin D levels in older individuals may contribute to the declining ability to perform daily activities and live independently,” Sohl said. “Vitamin D supplementation could provide a way to prevent physical decline, but the idea needs to be explored further with additional studies.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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