Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Iranian elderly and nursing home residents

Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency is an important health problem that is prevalent the among elderly and probably is more prevalent in nursing home residents. So we conducted a study to evaluate the prevalence of Vit D deficiency in elderly nursing home residents and compared it with the other elderly population. In a cross-sectional study 140 aged nursing home residents (G1) & 140 elderly in the community (G2) were enrolled. Serum 25(OH) D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), Alkaline phosphatase (alp), Calcium, Phosphor, Albumin were measured in all subjects. We used t test, chi square test, ANOVA and correlation for statistical analysis of hypothesis. mean serum 25(OH) Vit D was 16.1±16.64 ng/ml in G1 and 39.62 ± 24.78 in G2 (p= 0.000) Vit D level less than 20 IU/ml was found in 75% of G1 and 24% of G2. There was a significant correlation between serum 25(OH)D and PTH in both groups, and between 25(OH)D and Alp in cases.(P=.001) In this study we showed that Vit D deficiency among the elderly in nursing home residents was higher than the adjusted population out of nursing homes. So we recommend to use replenishment methods or Vit D for the elderly who were more at risk.