Association of hypovitaminosis D with triceps brachii muscle fatigability among older women: Findings from the EPIDOS cohort

Abstract

A B S T R A C TBackground: Vitamin D affects physical performance in older adults. Its effects on muscles, notably on muscle strength, remain unclear. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether hypovitaminosis D is associated with triceps brachii muscle fatigability in community-dwelling older women. Methods: A randomized subset of 744 women aged ≥75years from the EPIDOS cohort was categorized into two groups according to triceps brachii muscle fatigability, defined as loss of strength > 5% between two consecutive maximal isometric voluntary contractions. Hypovitaminosis D was defined using consensual threshold values (i.e., serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration [25OHD] ≤10 ng/mL, ≤20 ng/mL, and ≤30 ng/mL). Age, body mass index, comorbidities, use psychoactive drugs, physical activity, first triceps strength measure, hyperparathyroidism, serum concentrations of calcium, albumin and creatinine, season and study centers were used as potential confounders. Results: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D ≤ 30 ng/mL was greater among women with muscle fatigability compared with the others (P = .009). There was no between-group difference using the other definitions of hypovitaminosis D. The serum 25OHD concentration was inversely associated with the between-test change in triceps strength (adjusted β = −0.09 N, P = .04). Hypovitaminosis D ≤ 30 ng/mL was positively associated with triceps fatigability (adjusted OR = 3.15, P = .02). Conclusions: Vitamin D concentration was inversely associated with the ability to maintain strength over time in this cohort of community-dwelling older women. This is a relevant new orientation of research toward understanding the involvement of vitamin D in muscle function.

The Effect of Yearly-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Muscle Function in Mice

“…Further, the soleus muscle demonstrated higher initial fatigability with repetitive stimulation, and slower recovery after the yearly injection; fatigue in a postural muscle could contribute to an increased risk of falls by limiting toe clearance when lifting the foot, for example. Interestingly, this is similar to associations between low vitamin D and increased fatigability [20]. Collectively, the data support the idea that muscular changes in response to a very large bolus of vitamin D could be harmful and contribute to the risk of falls observed in human participants.…”

“…Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with muscle weakness and fatigue [20]. As such, vitamin D supplementation is a common treatment.…”

Orthostatic Hypotension and Cognitive Function in Individuals 85 Years of Age: A Longitudinal Cohort Study in Sweden

“…The prevalence of classical OH was higher than in most previous studies. In 7 studies of individuals with a mean age of 72-81 years, the prevalence of classical OH was 7% (primary care patients), 18%, 21.5%, and 27% (general population cohorts), 35% (geriatric patients), as well as 38.5% and 50% (hospitalized patients) [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. However, the first 3 studies measured BP only at 3 minutes, and the fourth study used only systolic BP, which could decrease sensitivity [16][17][18].…”

“…In 7 studies of individuals with a mean age of 72-81 years, the prevalence of classical OH was 7% (primary care patients), 18%, 21.5%, and 27% (general population cohorts), 35% (geriatric patients), as well as 38.5% and 50% (hospitalized patients) [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. However, the first 3 studies measured BP only at 3 minutes, and the fourth study used only systolic BP, which could decrease sensitivity [16][17][18]. A Dutch study of patients with falls and syncope and a mean age of 80 years, which measured standing BP after 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10 minutes, found that 32% had continuous classical, 16% had transient classical, and 8% had delayed OH [19].…”

Vitamin D Fortification of Consumption Cow’s Milk: Health, Nutritional and Technological Aspects. A Multidisciplinary Lecture of the Recent Scientific Evidence

“…This bone loss can lead to mineralization defect, osteoporosis and osteomalacia in the case of prolonged exposure. Vitamin D deficiency also exposes one to a risk of fractures due to bone fragility and an increased risk of muscle fatigability [ 30 ] and falls [ 31 ].…”