Vitamin D Supplementation in Older Persons: Guidelines Versus Practice

Older individuals are particularly susceptible to vitamin D deficiency as a result of an age-related reduction of cholecalciferol production in the skin, limited exposure to direct sunlight, comorbidity, polypharmacy, and inadequate nutritional intake.1 A survey in Europe (SENECA) among community-dwelling older people (aged ≥80 years) without vitamin D supplementation showed that 36% of older men and 47% of older women had serum 25(OH)D concentration levels ≤30 nmol/L.2 In nursing home residents, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency can rise to 98% to 100%.