Abstract :
Background: Reduced Vitamin D levels are common in elders. Deficiency predominantly affects the proximal muscles and
contributes to falls increasing the risk of fractures among elders. Objective: To study the association between serum
Vitamin D 25(OH) D levels, muscle strength and falls among elderly. Methods: 204 individuals aged more than 60 were
included. It was a prospective Cross Sectional study. Historical data included motor weakness, of both proximal and distal
muscles, falls &co morbidities. CGA including ADL was done. Motor power was tested using MRC grading. Vitamin D 25
(OH) levels was estimated using CLIA method. Results: There were 119 female and 85 male subjects. 86(42.2%),
99(48.5%) of them had severe deficiency (< 10 ng/ml) & insufficiency (10-25ng/ml) respectively. Only 19 (9.3%) had normal
Vitamin D levels. 111(54.4%) individuals had proximal lower limb motor weakness (Symptomatic plus MRC grading). 86
(77.5%) among these had severe Vitamin D deficiency (p< 0.001). 77 (37.7%) had proximal upper limb motor weakness.
64 (83%) among them had severe Vitamin D deficiency (p< 0.001) .Strikingly it was found that severe Vitamin D deficiency
was also associated with distal muscle weakness. 36 (17.6%) had falls. 35 among them (97.2%) had severe Vitamin D
deficiency (p
Keyword :
ADL, Falls, muscle weakness, Vitamin D.