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Open Access 01-12-2006 | Original Article

Vitamin D status, postural sway, and the incidence of falls in elderly community-dwelling Japanese women

Authors: Kazutoshi Nakamura, Rieko Oshiki, Koki Hatakeyama, Tomoko Nishiwaki, Kimiko Ueno, Mitsue Nashimoto, Toshiko Saito, Yasuo Tsuchiya, Yoko Okuda, Masaharu Yamamoto

Published in: Archives of Osteoporosis | Issue 1-2/2006

Abstract

Introduction

There is little evidence of a preventive effect of vitamin D on falling in Japanese populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D status on postural sway, muscle strength, and the incidence of falls in elderly community-dwelling Japanese women. This study utilized a cross-sectional design for postural sway and muscle strength as outcomes and a prospective design for the 1-year incidence of falls.

Methods

Subjects included 633 ambulant elderly women 69 years of age and older who participated in the baseline examinations of the Muramatsu Study. Measurements of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]₂D) concentrations, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), locus length (cm/s) of gravity-center sway, grip strength, body height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity levels were recorded. Falls that occurred between May 2003 and early July 2004 were documented.

Results

The average age and serum 25(OH)D concentration of the subjects was 74.3 years (SD 4.4) and 60.0 nmol/l (SD 17.9), respectively. The 1-year cumulative incidence of falls was 73/609 (12.0%). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that log-transformed locus length of the center of gravity was associated with age (R²=0.069, P<0.0001) and BMI (R²=0.025, P<0.0001) and that grip strength was associated with age (R²=0.141, P<0.0001) and height (R²=0.100, P<0.0001). A subgroup analysis revealed that log-transformed locus length was significantly associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations (R²=0.075, P=0.0189) in 75 subjects who had vitamin D insufficiency [serum 25(OH)D <40 nmol/l].

Conclusions

The 1-year incidence of falls was associated with locus length of gravity-center sway. The present study failed to find associations between vitamin D status and gravity-center sway, grip strength, or the incidence of falls. This may be due to relatively high serum 25(OH)D level differences in this population. However, a significant association between vitamin D status and postural sway was found in the vitamin-D-insufficient subgroup, suggesting supplementation of vitamin D should be considered for those with vitamin D insufficiency.

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Title: Vitamin D status, postural sway, and the incidence of falls in elderly community-dwelling Japanese women
Authors: Kazutoshi Nakamura
Rieko Oshiki
Koki Hatakeyama
Tomoko Nishiwaki
Kimiko Ueno
Mitsue Nashimoto
Toshiko Saito
Yasuo Tsuchiya
Yoko Okuda
Masaharu Yamamoto
Publication date: 01-12-2006
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Archives of Osteoporosis / Issue 1-2/2006
Print ISSN: 1862-3522
Electronic ISSN: 1862-3514
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-006-0004-3

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Vitamin D status, postural sway, and the incidence of falls in elderly community-dwelling Japanese women

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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