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The Response of Elderly Veterans to Daily Vitamin D3 Supplementation of 2,000 IU: A Pilot Efficacy Study
Author(s) -
Cherniack E. Paul,
Florez Hermes J.,
Hollis Bruce W.,
Roos Bernard A.,
Troen Bruce R.,
Levis Silvina
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03242.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gerontology , vitamin , physical therapy , vitamin d and neurology
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D<32 ng/mL; HVD) in a population of elderly veterans and conduct a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of supplementation with cholecalciferol in correcting HVD. DESIGN: Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Geriatric clinic at the Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans aged 70 and older. INTERVENTION: Oral cholecalciferol 2,000 IU daily or placebo for 6 months. MEASUREMENTS: Serum calcium, 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and 24‐hour urinary calcium. RESULTS: Of the 34 participants who completed the study, 62% had HVD at baseline. In the treatment group, mean serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level rose from 28.4±7.9 ng/mL at baseline to 42.7±10.5 ng/mL at the end of the trial, but levels remained less than 32 ng/mL in three of 17 (18%) of the participants. In the placebo group, the baseline level of 27.7±8.3 ng/mL remained unchanged (28.8±8.7 ng/mL). Supplementation did not alter serum or urinary calcium levels and did not result in any adverse events. CONCLUSION: These initial observations suggest that, in older veterans, cholecalciferol 2,000 IU daily for 6 months is generally safe and corrects HVD in most but not all individuals.