LOW VITAMIN-D STATUS IS COMMON AMONG ELDERLY DUNEDIN WOMEN

Aims. To review vitamin D status and the relationship of serum 25-hydr oxyvitamin D levels to hip bone mineral density in a group of healthy elderly women living independently in their own homes in Dunedin. Meth ods. Thirty-eight elderly subjects (> 70 years of age) were studied. S erum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were measured by radioimm unoassay in summer and winter. Femoral neck bone mineral density was m easured by dual x-ray energy absorptiometry. Results. Hip density was correlated with serum 25(OH)D levels at study entry. In summer, 10 of 38 patients (26.3%) had serum 25(OH)D levels below the reference range for healthy adults (40-185 nmol/L). Six patients subsequently withdre w from the study. In winter, 22 of the remaining 32 women (68.8%) had serum 25(OH)D values below the reference range. Subjects with low 25(O H)D values were given halibut oil tablets (400 IU vitamin D3 per day) to improve their serum 25(OH)D levels. Conclusions. Vitamin D deficien cy is common among elderly women with a high risk of fracture who live in southern New Zealand. This is most marked in the winter months. Vi tamin D replacement is cheap and effective and should be considered in patients over 70 years of age who have a high risk of fracture and wh o live in temperate climates.