Vitamin D Seasonal Variation in the Elderly in Residantial Care in Turkey
Objectives: Many factors influence the intensity and duration of ultraviolet exposure, including geographic location, seasons, dietary intake, atmospheric conditions, and daily sunlight exposure. Our objective was to characterize the effect of diet and the seasonal variation of hypovitaminosis D in housebound elderly people in Konya Nursing Home (NH).
Methods: In total, 41 old-aged participants (22 males, 19 females) who lived in Konya NH were included in the present study. Serum vitamin D3 (VD3) levels were measured and compared in the winter and summer for each group. The results were evaluated between each other and with 20 old-aged participants (10 women, 10 men) who had similar demographic conditions, were healthy, and living outside the NH.
Results: The mean ages of the NH and control groups (CGs) were 74.75±3.90 (65–93) and 73.72±2.90 (68–83), respectively. The mean VD3 levels were 20.36±6.54 ng/mL in summer and 19.29±6.00 ng/mL in winter for men in the NH group. The mean VD3 levels were 19.58±6.93 ng/mL in summer and 18.29±4.69 ng/mL in winter for women in the NH group. The mean VD3 levels were 24.79±6.59 ng/mL in summer and 20.94±5.29 ng/mL in winter for men in the CG. For women in the CG, the mean levels were 25.30±6.77 ng/mL in summer and 20.73±6.50 ng/mL in winter. There were no differences in the mean levels between the NH group and CG in the summer and winter periods.
Conclusion: VD is not required only for bone development and growth of children, it is also required bone strength in adults and prevent osteoporosis and fracture risk in the elderly. All of the seasons VD deficiency was found in older aged people in housebound and living outside. We must fortify the dietary products with VD and increase sunlight exposure in older aged people.
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