Effectiveness and Safety of a High‐Dose Weekly Vitamin D (20, 000 IU) Protocol in Older Adults Living in Residential Care. Issue 8 (15th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feldman, Fabio; Moore, Crystal; da Silva, Liz; Gaspard, Gina; Gustafson, Larry; Singh, Sonia; Barr, Susan I.; Kitts, David D.; Li, Wangyang; Weiler, Hope A.; Green, Timothy J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 62:Issue 8(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1546
• Page End: 1550
• Publication Date: 2014-07-15
• Subjects: Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.12927
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-8614

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jgs12927-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jgs12927-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To report 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations, an indicator of vitamin D status, in older adults living in residential care 1 year after a protocol of weekly 20, 000 IU of vitamin D was started.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12927-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Cross‐sectional.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12927-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Setting</title> <p>Five residential care facilities in British Columbia, Canada.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12927-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Participants</title> <p>Residents aged 65 and older from five facilities (N = 236).</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12927-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Measurements</title> <p>Participants provided a blood sample. Demographic and health information was obtained from the medical record.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12927-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Mean 25OHD was 102 nmol/L (95% confidence interval (CI) = 98–106 nmol/L). Three percent of residents had a 25OHD concentration of less than 40 nmol/L, 6% <50 nmol/L, and 19% <75 nmol/L. In those who received 20, 000 IU/wk or more for 6 months or longer (n = 147), mean 25OHD was 112 nmol/L (95% CI = 108–117 nmol/L), and none had a 25OHD level of less than 50 nmol/L. Hypercalcemia (>2.6 mmol/L), a potential consequence of too much vitamin D, was present in 14%, although 25OHD levels did not differ in those with and without hypercalcemia (108 vs 101 nmol/L; <italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>.17).</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12927-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Twelve months after implementation of a 20, 000‐IU/wk vitamin D protocol for older adults in residential care, mean 25OHD concentrations were high, and there was no evidence of poor vitamin D status. Given the absence of demonstrated benefit of high 25OHD concentrations to the residential care population, dosages less than 20, 000 IU/wk of vitamin D are recommended.</p> </sec> </abstract>