Serum Vitamin D and Falls in Older Women in Residential Care in Australia

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in older people in residential care and the influence that the level of vitamin D may have on their incidence of falls. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: Residential care facilities for older people in several states of Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred sixty-seven women in low-level care and 952 women in high-level care, mean age 83.7 years. MEASUREMENTS: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) levels and recognized risk factors for falls including current medication use, a history of previous fractures, weight, tibial length (as a surrogate for height), cognitive function, walking ability, and frequency of going outdoors were de..