ELEVADA INCIDENCIA DE INSUFICIENCIA DE VITAMINA D EN LOS ADULTOS SANOS MAYORES DE 65 AÑOS EN DIFERENTES REGIONES DE LA ARGENTINA*

Abstract

To evaluate the nutritional status of vitamin D in urban population of clinical healthy elderly subjects

in Argentina, 386 ambulatory subjects over 65 years of age from seven cities of Argentina (latitude 26-

55°S), were invited to participate between the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Of 369

subjects who accepted, 30 were excluded due to clinical or biochemichal exclusion criteria. Finally,

339 subjects (226 women and 113 men aged 71.3±5.2 years (X±SD) were included. Serum 25OHD

levels were lowest in the South (latitude range: 41-55°S): 14.2±5.6 ng/ml (p<0.0001 vs North and Mid

regions); highest in the North (26-27°S): 20.7± 7.4 ng/ml (p<0.03 vs Mid, p<0.0001 vs South); and

intermediate in the Mid region (33-34°S): 17.9±8.2 ng/ml. Serum PTH and 25OHD were inversely

related (r=-0.24, p<0.001). A cut-off level of 25OHD at which serum PTH levels began to increase

was established at 27 ng/ml. A high prevalence (87 to 52%) of subjects with 25OHD levels in the

deficiency-insufficiency range (25OHD levels <20 ng/l) was detected. Only few subjects (2 to 17%)

had levels above the minimum desirable 25OHD level (≥30 ng/ml).

Conclusion: This study shows that vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in the elderly is a world-

wide problem that includes Argentinian elderly population. Correction of this deficit would

have a positive impact on bone health of elderly people.