Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: VD deficiency is associated with the atrophy of muscle fibres (predominantly type II). This leads to decreased muscle force and general physical performance.

Objective: To analyse the relationship between the serum concentration of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), balance and physical performance in women with VD deficiency and the effect of VD supplementation or treatment with a VD analog.

Materials and methods: We analysed 105 women of various ages with VD deficiency defined as a serum concentration of 25OHD below 30 ng/ml. We recorded the results of the balance Tinetti scale, chair-rise test (CRT) and timed-up-and go test (TUG). We randomised the patients to receive colecalcipherol 1000 IU daily or alphacalcidol 1 μg daily, together with 500 mg calcium. The treatment was administered for 6 months.

Results: The subjects were aged between 20 and 83 years old (mean±S.D. 51.95±12.77 years). The mean baseline 25OHD concentration was 12.68±5.77 ng/ml (mean±S.D.). The Tinetti balance subscore was significantly correlated with the concentration of 25OHD (P=0.022). The mean results at the TUG and CRT test were 8.91±2.46 and 15.34±5.58 s respectively. After treatment, the mean results at TUG and CRT test became 8.5±2.17 and 14.56±5.56 s respectively (P=0.000 compared to baseline) representing a mean change of −4.9 and −7.33% respectively. The global Tinetti score and the subscores for balance and posture also improved significantly compared to baseline (P=0.000 for total score and balance subscore and P=0.033 for posture). The results were significantly better in the subgroup treated with alphacalcidol compared to the subgroup offered cholecalciferol for TUG (P=0.012) but not for CRT (P=0.074). No difference was noted in the evolution of the Tinetti score between the treatment subgroups.

Conclusions: The major finding of the present study is that VD deficiency is significantly correlated with poor physical performance and impairment of balance and the effects are partially reversible with either VD supplementation or active VD analogs (alphacalcidol).