Vitamin D status and bone health of older adults in care facilities
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A cross-sectional analysis of vitamin D status and bone health of older adults within residential care facilities in Northern Ireland.
IRAS ID
237739
Contact name
Emeir McSorley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 28 days
Research summary
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in older adults residing in Northern Europe including Northern Ireland (NI). In residential care facilities, almost everyone is vitamin D insufficient if it is not supplemented. This can lead to compromised musculoskeletal health (muscle weakness), increased risk of falls and potentially fractures. Fractures are very common in older adults due to age-related weakening of their bones (osteoporosis) and are associated with considerable disability or mortality. Hip fractures increase significantly with ageing, accounting for >40% of the estimated burden of osteoporosis worldwide. Improving vitamin D status may help to reduce the risk of fractures in the elderly, with vitamin-D supplementation found to be a cost-effective strategy for fall prevention in the USA. In the UK, it has been suggested that treatment of the elderly with 800IU vitamin D3/day would be associated with substantial cost-savings through fall prevention. Though vitamin-D deficiency is prevalent in older adults in NI, the incidence among older adults within residential care facilities in this region is unknown. The aim of this observational study is to provide data on the prevalence of vitamin-D deficiency among older adults within residential care facilities in NI. A total of 100 participants will be recruited and information such as age, sex, ethnicity and nutritional supplement use will be collected via a health and lifestyle questionnaire and from clinical notes. Measurements including weight and height will be assessed and Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated. A blood sample will be taken to assess vitamin D status and other markers of bone health. Muscle strength will also be assessed using a hand-grip dynamometer and a portal QUS scanner used to give a measurement of bone mineral density. It is expected that 40% of the population will be severely deficient in vitamin D and will require immediate replenishment of vitamin D status.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
18/NI/0114
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion