Vitamin D deficiency in older adults and its associated factors: a cross-sectional analysis of the Mexican Health and Aging Study

Abstract

Summary Vitamin D deficiency was common in older adults from a country with adequate sun exposure. The variables associated with this deficiency provide insight into the next steps needed to characterize older adults with this deficiency and to treat it accordingly. Purpose The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of and factors associated with vitamin D deficiency among Mexican older adults. Methods This was a secondary analysis of the last wave of the Mexican Health and Aging Study. Vitamin D levels along with other biomarkers were obtained from a sub-sample of Mexican adults older than 60 years. Prevalence was described by sex and age group, and a multivariate analysis was performed to test the factors associated with this condition. Results Data from 1088 adults over the age of 60 years were analyzed. The mean serum vitamin D level was 23.1 ± 8.1 ng/mL and was significantly higher among men than women (25.6 ± 0.6 and 22.8 ± 0.5 ng/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). In total, 37.3% (n = 406) presented with vitamin D deficiency, 65% of whom were women. Low 25-(OH)-vitamin D levels were associated with female sex (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.59–2.42), current smoking (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.47–3.39), education (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.06–1.13), physical activity (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.31–2.23), and high levels of glycated hemoglobin (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07–1.25). Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in Mexican older adults and was associated with a number of factors, indicating the multifactorial causality of this deficiency.

Ultrasonographic measurements of the skin, fat and muscle in vitamin D deficiency

“…Possible reasons include decreased sunlight exposure (caused by decreased mobility), negative feedback of adipose tissue on vitamin D synthesis and sequestration of the vitamin in fat tissues . Moreover, as vitamin D inhibits fat formation, weight loss is also shown to be difficult in elderly patients with vitamin D deficiency . In our study, there were no relationships between demographic/anthropometric measurements (ie, age, weight, height, hip and abdominal circumferences) and vitamin D levels.…”

Association of vitamin d with glycemic control in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes: A retrospective chart review study in an emerging university hospital

“…Insulin sensitivity together with insulin secretion is equally considered to be calcium‐dependent processes. Several cross‐sectional studies have suggested an inverse association between blood vitamin D levels along with HbA1c not only in patients but also in normal adults …”

“…Several cross-sectional studies have suggested an inverse association between blood vitamin D levels along with HbA1c not only in patients but also in normal adults. [31][32][33][34][35] Vitamin D deficiency has been reported worldwide and has affected around one billion population. 36 Its deficiency has been considered a potential risk factor for death in patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases and cancers.…”

The relationship between chronic inflammation associated with obesity and vitamin D deficiency

“…On the other hand, supplementation with 50 ug of vitamin D for 9 months increased the plasma concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL 10 ) and prevented the increase of TNFα in subjects with coronary disease, associated with systemic inflammation 35 . In data provided by Carrillo et al, supplementation with 4000 IU/day of vitamin D in active subjects did not influence the levels of inflammatory biomarkers 36 . On the other hand, polymorphisms in VDR genes are associated with insulin resistance and high glucose concentrations 37 , highlighting that vitamin D has a possible stimulatory role in the expression of insulin receptors and its low plasma level could potentiate the inflammatory response in obese subjects.…”

“…Some studies have shown inverse associations between circulating concentrations of 25(OH)D and elevated fasting glucose and insulin, while others have established a similar inverse relationship to pancreatic β cell function and a positive association with insulin sensitivity 38 . In conclusion it is suggested that the state of hypovitaminosis D is inversely related to the parameters of obesity 17 , which is why correcting the poor state of vitamin D through dietary supplementation may be an effective addition to the standard treatment of obesity and its insulin-associated resistance [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] , however, evidence of future clinical trials is required to support the potential regulatory effects of vitamin D supplementation in order to reduce obesity levels.…”