Sex Differences in Vitamin D Status as a Risk Factor for Incidence of Disability in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: Evidence from the ELSA Cohort Study

Author(s)

Luiz, Mariane Marques ; Maximo, Roberta de Oliveira ; de Oliveira, Dayane Capra ; Ramirez, Paula Camila ; de Souza, Aline Fernanda ; Bicigo Delinocente, Maicon Luis ; Steptoe, Andrew ; de Oliveira, Cesar ; Alexandre, Tiago da Silva

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NUTRIENTS; v. 14, n. 10, p. 11-pg., 2022-05-01.

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency compromises elements underlying the disability process; however, there is no evidence demonstrating the association between vitamin D deficiency and the incidence of disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). We investigated the association between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of incidence of IADL disability separately in men and women. A total of 4768 individuals aged >= 50 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) and without IADL disability according to the Lawton scale were available. Vitamin D was evaluated at baseline by serum 25(OH)D concentrations and classified as sufficient (>50 nmol/L), insufficient (>30 to <= 50 nmol/L) or deficient serum (<= 30 nmol/L). IADL were reassessed after 4 years. Poisson models stratified by sex and controlled by covariates demonstrated that deficient serum 25(OH)D was a risk factor for the incidence of IADL disability in men (IRR: 1.43; 95% CI 1.02, 2.00), but not in women (IRR: 1.23; 95% CI 0.94, 1.62). Men appear to be more susceptible to the effect of vitamin D deficiency on the incidence of IADL disability, demonstrating the importance of early clinical investigation of serum 25(OH)D concentrations to prevent the onset of disability. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/13917-3 - Musculoskeletal aging: metabolic and functional repercussions and mortality risk in people aged 50 and older
• Grantee: Tiago da Silva Alexandre
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants