Seasonal Variation in Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in The Elderly in Korean
- Author:
Eun Jig LEE
;
Kyung Rae KIM
;
Young Duk SONG
;
Hyun Chul LEE
;
Kap Bum HUH
;
Choon Hee CHUNG
;
Sung Kil LIM
;
Yoon Sok CHUNG
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Geriatrics;
25-hydroxyvitamin D
- MeSH:
Aged;
Alkaline Phosphatase;
Bone Diseases, Metabolic;
Calcium;
Geriatrics;
Humans;
Metabolism;
Nursing Homes;
Phosphorus;
Risk Factors;
Seasons;
Seoul;
Sunlight;
Vitamin D
- From:Journal of Korean Society of Endocrinology
1994;9(2):121-127
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The seasonal variations in the parameters of calcium metabolism including 25-hydroxyvitamin D were analyzed in 19 free-living elderly subjects (mean age:68.7±6.7 yr) in Seoul. Mean serum total calcium concentration was 9.0±0.3 mg/dl in March and had risen to 9.3±0.3mg/dl in the following September(p<0.001). Despite their comparable calcium intake. Serum phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase concentrations did not show any seasonal variations, whereas serum PTH concentrations were significantly lower in September than in March(20.1±8.6 vs. 32.5±8.4 pg/ml, p<0.001). Seasonal changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were also found between the value(17.3±6.9 ng/ml) in March and that (28.5±7.4 ng/ml) in September(p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between seasonal increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D and seasonal reduction in serum PTH/Cr(r=-0.5394, p<0.05). This study suggests that the winter minimum of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and the elevated PTH may be a contributing risk factor for the development of osteopenia especially in the elderly individuals. When exposure to sunlight is reduced, as in the case of nursing home population, an additional exogenous form of the vitamin D may be advisable.
