journal articles
INFLUENCE OF BARTHEL INDEX ON PLASMATIC LEVELS OF 25 HYDROXYVITAMIN D IN ELDERLY PATIENTS
A. Supervía, M.T. Martínez-Izquierdo, R. Güerri, M.I. Sarbu, A. Solano, D. Marzo, J. Ares, A. Díez-Pérez, L. Mellibovsky
J Aging Res Clin Practice 2013;2(3):280-283
Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly and its relationship with the functional capacity. Design: Observational study. Setting: Emergency Department of a tertiary hospital. Participants: Consecutive non-selected patient’s aged 65 or more. Methods: The patients were divided in two groups: moderate to severe disability (BI 0–75), and mild to no impairment (BI 76–100). Comparisons of vitamin D metabolites and parathormone between groups were made. Measurements: Barthel index, vitamin D metabolites and intact parathormone. Results: Fifty-nine patients were included. Mean age: 77.25 (8.5) years. Fourteen patients (23.7%) had a BI ≤ of 75. The patients with BI ≤ 75 had lower levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D compared with the BI > 75 group [(8.93 (3.4) vs 16.56 (12.5) ng/ml; p = 0.015), and (24.39 (12.8) vs 39.65 (21.1) pg/ml; p = 0.009], and higher levels of intact parathormone (113.29 (75.8) vs (64.59 (37.2) pg/ml; p = 0.020). Levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D < 10 ng/ml was found in 71.4% of patients with BI ≤ 75 and in 44.4% with IB > 75. The only factor that predicted values of 25 hydroxyvitamin D below to 10 was a BI ≤ 75 (OR: 4.58; IC 95%: 1.124-18.689; p = 0.034). Conclusions: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in elderly is elevated. Patients with IB < 75 have lower levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D. A BI below 75 predicts values of vitamin D less than 10ng/ml.