Vitamin D inadequacy among post-menopausal women: a systematic review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Vitamin D inadequacy has been studied extensively, due to concerns about ageing populations, associations with osteoporosis and other disorders (including non-musculoskeletal), and high prevalence.

AIM:

To review recent reports on the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy among post-menopausal women with and without osteoporosis and/or other musculoskeletal diseases.

DESIGN:

Systematic review.

METHODS:

We reviewed publications in the past 10 years reporting prevalence estimates for vitamin D inadequacy, reported as serum 25(OH)D values below various levels. Thirty published studies in the English language were identified, from January 1994 through April 2004.

RESULTS:

In osteoporotic populations, the prevalence of 25(OH) vitamin D concentration <12 ng/ml ranged from 12.5% to 76%, while prevalence rates reached 50% to 70% of patients with a history of fracture(s) using a cut-off of 15 ng/ml. In post-menopausal women, the prevalence of 25(OH) vitamin D concentrations <or=20 ng/ml ranged from 1.6% to 86% for community-living and institutionalized women, respectively. The most common factors associated with inadequate vitamin D levels included limited sun exposure, lack of dietary vitamin D intake, nursing home environment, wintertime, and increasing age (over 70 years).

DISCUSSION:

The prevalence of inadequate vitamin D levels appears to be high in post-menopausal women, especially in those with osteoporosis and history of fracture. Vitamin D supplementation in this group might offer scope for prevention of falls and fracture, especially in elderly and osteoporotic populations.

• Authors: S Gaugris, R P Heaney, S Boonen, H Kurth, J D Bentkover, S S Sen
• Journal: QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians (QJM) Vol. 98 Issue 9 Pg. 667-76 (Sep 2005) ISSN: 1460-2725 [Print] England
• PMID: 16006498 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review, Systematic Review)

Chemical References

• Vitamins
• Vitamin D

Topics

• Aged
• Diet
• Female
• Fractures, Bone (etiology, metabolism)
• Humans
• Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal (etiology, metabolism)
• Postmenopause
• Prevalence
• Sunlight
• Vitamin D (administration & dosage, blood)
• Vitamin D Deficiency (epidemiology)
• Vitamins (administration & dosage)