Vitamin D Deficiency in the Elderly

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are considered a serious public health problem. Older people are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency, as well as those with comorbidities. Risk factors for deficiency and decreased vitamin D levels include insufficient sun exposure, insufficient intake of vitamin D sources, or impaired intestinal absorption. There is increasing research in the direction of finding answers to questions about the most accurate way to diagnose vitamin D deficiency, which can determine its status and indications for screening, and can also assess the effectiveness of treatment. In our article, we described how various strategies can be used to detect vitamin D deficiency in older people. Vitamin D status is determined by measuring the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the serum. The exact threshold for vitamin D deficiency is still controversial. Screening should be performed only in people at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are nonspecific and very common. Therefore, if vitamin D deficiency is suspected, the physician should measure the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level. Vitamin D deficiency is rarely treated by increasing the intake of foods naturally containing vitamin D or foods fortified with vitamin D. Special attention should be paid to vitamin D intake to avoid side effects. There is no safe and clear threshold of ultraviolet radiation at which vitamin D can be synthesized in sufficient quantities without increasing the risk of skin cancer.