A rationale for vitamin D prescribing in a falls clinic population

TY - JOUR

T1 - A rationale for vitamin D prescribing in a falls clinic population

AU - Dhesi, J K

AU - Moniz, C

AU - Close, J C T

AU - Jackson, S H D

AU - Allain, T J

PY - 2002

Y1 - 2002

N2 - Objective: to assess the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in a falls clinic population. To identify simple clinical predictors of vitamin D insufficiency. Design: prospective observational descriptive study. Participants: 400 consecutive patients who attended a falls clinic taking referrals from a casualty department or general practitioners. Results: Hypovitaminosis D is very common, affecting at least 72% of a falls clinic population. The number of times an individual goes out per week and serum albumin are independent predictors of hypovitaminosis D, but the predictive value is low. Conclusions: the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is high in a falls clinic population. It is difficult to predict which individuals are most at risk within this population. The benefits of vitamin D supplementation in older people are well recognized. Therefore in the absence of toxic effects, a pragmatic approach may be to supplement all attendees at a falls clinic.

AB - Objective: to assess the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in a falls clinic population. To identify simple clinical predictors of vitamin D insufficiency. Design: prospective observational descriptive study. Participants: 400 consecutive patients who attended a falls clinic taking referrals from a casualty department or general practitioners. Results: Hypovitaminosis D is very common, affecting at least 72% of a falls clinic population. The number of times an individual goes out per week and serum albumin are independent predictors of hypovitaminosis D, but the predictive value is low. Conclusions: the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is high in a falls clinic population. It is difficult to predict which individuals are most at risk within this population. The benefits of vitamin D supplementation in older people are well recognized. Therefore in the absence of toxic effects, a pragmatic approach may be to supplement all attendees at a falls clinic.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036052869&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1093/ageing/31.4.267

DO - 10.1093/ageing/31.4.267

M3 - Article

VL - 31

SP - 267

EP - 271

JO - Age and Ageing

JF - Age and Ageing

IS - 4

ER -