Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency has been frequently observed in the elderly population. Improving vitamin D status may be an important modifiable risk factor to reduce fractures; however, adherence to daily supplementation is poor. We tested whether oral administration of an alcoholic solution of vitamin D₃, 200 000 IU every 4 months in elderly could assure an optimal serum 25(OH)D concentration of 80–120 nmol/l.

Method: We enrolled 50 institutionalized elderly (70% women, age 72.7+6.8 years; 30% men, age 72.1+5.8 years) living in a nursing home for elderly people in Iasi, Romania (latitude: 47°N). Using a factorial design, we randomly allocated subjects to cholecalciferol therapy or placebo.

Results: At baseline, 25(OH)D levels were 25.5±16 nmol/l and 60% of participants had of <25 nmol/l. Cholecalciferol treatment using an alcoholic solution of vitamin D₃, 200 000 IU every 4 months did not succed to rise 25(OH)D levels above 80 nmol/l. The 25(OH)D levels were 34±12 nmol/l at 4 months, 45±21 nmol/l at 8 months and 49±19 nmol/l at 12 months.

Conclusion: In elderly, the correction of low status of vitamin D₃ require doses above 2000 IU/day. In our study, the oral administration of vitamin D₃, 200 000 IU every 4 months (equivalent of oral doses of vitamin D₃ 2000 IU/day) may be a convenient way to maintain sufficient vitamin D status but failed to establish the optimal levels of serum 25(OH)D concentrations.