Vitamin D deficiency among the elderly: insights from Qatar

Objectives: Vitamin D (VitD) deficiency is associated with comorbidities in the elderly. The present study investigates the prevalence of VitD deficiency among the elderly in Qatar. Research design and methods: A retrospective study conducted between April 2010 and April 2012 that involved chart reviews. All elderly patients of age >= 65 years in geriatrics facilities including Rumailah hospital, skilled nursing facility and home healthcare services in Qatar were included in the study. Measurements: Patient characteristics and outcomes were analyzed and compared according to the severity of VitD deficiency. Correlation of VitD with comorbidities was analyzed. Mean follow-up period was 6 months. Results: A total of 889 patients were enrolled; the majority (66%) were females and the mean age was 75 +/- 8.7 years. Patient comorbidities included hypertension (76.5%), diabetes mellitus (63%), dyslipidemia, (47.5%), dementia (26%) coronary artery disease (24%) and cerebrovascular accident (24%). The mean baseline serum VitD level was 24.4 +/- 13.5 ng/ml; 72% of patients had VitD deficiency: mild (31%), moderate (30%) and severe (11%). Patients with severe VitD deficiency had significantly higher HbA(1c) levels compared with patients with optimal VitD (P=0.03). High density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower in severe VitD deficiency patients compared with optimal VitD patients (P=0.04). There was a positive correlation between HDL-C and VitD level (r=0.17, P=0.001), whereas HbA(1c) levels showed negative correlation with VitD (r= -0.15, P=0.009). Conclusions: A high prevalence of VitD deficiency (72%) was observed among the elderly in Qatar. Lower VitD was associated with higher HbA(1c) and lower HDL-C levels. Further studies are warranted to evaluate whether VitD supplementation controls diabetes mellitus (DM) and low HDL-C levels among the elderly.