Oral Vitamin D and Ultraviolet Radiation for the Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency in the Elderly

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Abstract
Different methods for the prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency were studied in 42 institutionalized elderly people. One group received UV radiation (UVR) on a large area of the body surface once a week for 3 mo. The results were compared with those in groups receiving either 450 IU vitamin D2 together with 420 mg Ca daily, 420 mg Ca alone or no treatment. A significant increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was obtained with UVR. A similar increase was obtained with oral vitamin D2. A small but significant decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase was observed in subjects receiving vitamin D and Ca, or Ca alone. No effects on serum phosphate, urinary cAMP and urinary Ca were seen. Though brief UVR at 1-wk intervals is an efficient and safe method for prevention of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly, it is time-consuming for the ward staff and less convenient than oral vitamin D supplementation.