Asthma in the elderly: a study of the role of vitamin D

Asthma in the elderly is poorly understood and vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are very common in older individuals. We studied the role of vitamin D in elderly asthmatics.FindingsAsthmatics subjects, age 65 and older, were followed every 4 weeks for 12 weeks in the late fall and winter.

During the study period they took 2,000 I.U. vitamin D3 daily.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and calcium were measured at baseline and study end. Twenty nine percent of subjects were deficient and 50% insufficient in serum vitamin D at baseline.

Serum vitamin D increased from 24.3 +/- 9.2 ng/ml (60.7 +/- 23 nmol/L) to 34 +/- 7.1 ng/ml (84.9 +/- 17.7 nmol/L) at the end of the study (p

Vitamin D was similar in men and women. There was no association between serum vitamin D and inhaled steroid dose.

Vitamin D was significantly lower in subjects with uncontrolled asthma (Asthma Control Test, ACT

Spirometric values remained unchanged throughout the study.

Conclusions:
Elderly asthmatics very commonly have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Serum vitamin D levels were lower in subjects with uncontrolled asthma.

In these subjects, vitamin D supplementation for 12 weeks led to improved ACT scores. Larger, randomized, placebo controlled studies are required to further evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation may improve asthma symptoms in this population.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01730976.

Author: Michele ColumboReynold A PanettieriAlbert S Rohr
Credits/Source: Allergy, Asthma Clinical Immunology 2014, 10:48

Published on: 2014-09-05

News Provider: 7thSpace Interactive / EUPB Press Office

There are no comments available. Be the first to write a comment.