A rationale for vitamin D prescribing in a falls clinic population

Abstract

Objective: to assess the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in a falls clinic population. To identify simple clinical predictors of vitamin D insufficiency.

Design: prospective observational descriptive study.

Participants: 400 consecutive patients who attended a falls clinic taking referrals from a casualty department or general practitioners.

Results: Hypovitaminosis D is very common, affecting at least 72% of a falls clinic population. The number of times an individual goes out per week and serum albumin are independent predictors of hypovitaminosis D, but the predictive value is low.

Conclusions: the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is high in a falls clinic population. It is difficult to predict which individuals are most at risk within this population. The benefits of vitamin D supplementation in older people are well recognized. Therefore in the absence of toxic effects, a pragmatic approach may be to supplement all attendees at a falls clinic.