Replenish & maintain vitamin D status in deficient older adults in RC
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Replenishing and maintaining vitamin D status in older adults in residential care facilities in NI
IRAS ID
278254
Contact name
Emeir McSorley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
Vitamin-D deficiency is prevalent in older adults in NI, however the incidence among older adults within residential care facilities in this region is unknown. An observation study (IRAS id 237739 RECRef 18/NI/0114) is currently being carried out to provide data on the prevalence of vitamin-D deficiency among older adults within residential care facilities in NI. It is expected that 40% of the population will be deficient in vitamin D and will require immediate replenishment of vitamin D status.
An intervention study will be conducted and participants identified as vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D) status <30nmol/L (cut-off currently used by the WHSCT will be re-contacted. The aim of this study is to investigate which dose and duration of vitamin D supplementation is required to replenish and maintain vitamin D status in older adults with vitamin D deficiency within residential care facilities. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of two supplementation regimes: 3200IU/day vitamin D3 or 20,000IU/week vitamin D3. Blood samples (no more than 20ml per appointment) will be taken at 4 different time points: week 0, week 2, week 4 and week 8. These two doses are routinely used in clinical practice for remedial supplementation of vitamin D and have been chosen based upon their availability from manufacturers of vitamin D supplements. Also, albeit these doses are currently routinely used to replenish vitamin D status little is known on how effective they are and how soon vitamin D status is optimised. Clinicians can only administer medication for the management of osteoporosis (e.g. Bisphosphonates) once vitamin D status is optimised; therefore we are taking measurements every two weeks to establish response to remedial supplementation. This project provides a unique opportunity to monitor the replenishment and maintenance of vitamin D status following remedial supplementation more regularly (at weeks 0,2,4,8) than would be done under standard NHS care. This is something that is currently ambiguous within the literature and clinical care.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
20/NI/0031
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion