Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism in the elderly inpatients and living in the community of the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Author(s)

Gabriela Luporini Saraiva ^[1] ; Maysa Seabra Cendoroglo ^[2] ; Luiz Roberto Ramos ^[3] ; Lara Miguel Quirino Araújo ^[4] ; José Gilberto H. Vieira ^[5] ; Sérgio Setsuo Maeda ^[6] ; Victória Z.C. Borba ^[7] ; Ilda Kunii ^[8] ; Lillian F. Hayashi ^[9] ; Marise Lazaretti-Castro ^[10]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Departamento de Endocrinologia

^[2] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Departamento de Geriatria

^[3] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Departamento de Geriatria

^[4] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Departamento de Geriatria

^[5] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Departamento de Endocrinologia

^[6] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Departamento de Endocrinologia

^[7] Universidade Federal do Paraná. Serviço de Endocrinologia

^[8] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Departamento de Endocrinologia

^[9] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Departamento de Endocrinologia

^[10] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Departamento de Endocrinologia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Endocrinologia e Metabologia; v. 51, n. 3, p. 437-442, 2007-04-00.

Abstract

The occurrence of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly is associated with reduced levels of vitamin D and resulting secondary hyperparathyroidism, and inpatients are the ones at a higher risk. In Brazil, given its high level of insolation, the population’s large amount of vitamin D is inferred to be adequate. In this study we aimed to assess the serum levels of 25-hydroxivitamin D (25OHD), parathormone (PTH) and ionized calcium (Cai), as well as to analyze the prevalence of both hypovitaminosis D and secondary hyperparathyroidism in the elderly living in the city of São Paulo. We studied 177 inpatients (125 women and 52 men) with mean age (SD) 76.6 (9.0) years, and 243 outpatients (168 women and 75 men) aged 79.1 (5.9) years. In this assessment 71.2% in the inpatients group and 43.8% in the outpatients group had 25OHD levels below the minimum recommended (50 nmol/l), with the women presenting with levels considerably lower than the men. Secondary hyperparathyroidism occurred in 61.7% of the inpatients and in 54% of the outpatients. Considering the results achieved, we recommend vitamin D supplementation in effective doses for the Brazilian elderly population, in addition to suggesting a discussion for the implementation of vitamin D-enhanced food policies, particularly oriented to the ones at a greater risk. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 01/09027-1 - Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in elderly subjects and correlation with bone mass assessed by ultrasound of calcaneus
• Grantee: Marise Lazaretti Castro
• Support type: Regular Research Grants