Background: Although the seasonal variance in serum levels of vitamin D in the elderly is well known, its significance on parathyroid hormone (PTH) remains controversial. Objective: To identify the variability and correlation between serum levels of vitamin D and PTH in a sample of community-dwelling elderly patients in the Province of Quebec, Canada, where vitamin D and calcium are supplemented in the food. Methods: Cross-sectional study in an ambulatory elderly population in the Province of Quebec. Samples were analyzed at theMetabolic and Calcium Research Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec. 256 healthy men and women aged 65–94 (mean age ± SD: 72.8 ± 5.6) were analyzed. Serum levels of25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3)and PTH were determined between 1994 and 1999 using commercial radioimmunoassay kits to measure calciotrophic hormones. We examined data in different seasons of the year and observed the behavior of the data through time. A cut-off level of 25 nmol/l for 25(OH)D3 was established to define vitamin D deficiency. A correlation between vitamin D levels vs. PTH levels was also obtained. Results: There is a predominance of females with a 75% of the population. Among them, 32% showed levels of vitamin D <20 nmol/l as compared to 51% of the male population (p < 0.02). A seasonal variance in the levels of vitamin D was observed with the lower levels happening in early spring with a recovery at the end of the summer (p < 0.004). These low levels of vitamin D corresponded with an inverse pattern in the levels of PTH more importantly in early spring. Conclusion: This study not only confirms previous reports that despite vitamin D food supplementation a vitamin D deficiency is still a finding in elderly population in the Northern hemisphere, but also that a compensatory change in PTH levels concurrently occurs with a potential significance on bone strength and risk of fractures.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.