Effects of Alphacalcidol on Fall and Balance in Elderly People with Vitamin D Deficiency

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of vitamin D treatment on balance and falls in elderly patients with vitamin D deficiency. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in 63 women older than 65 years of age with determined vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmol/L) who can be mobilized independently. 33 patients were given a daily dose of 1 mcg alphacalcidol and 500 mg of ionized calcium, while 30 patients were given 500 mg of ionized calcium. The patients were evaluated with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Romberg test (RT), Berg balance scale (BBS), and 10-meter walk time at baseline and at the 3(rd) and 6(th) months of treatment. Furthermore, the number of falls within the last year and during treatment was recorded. Results: In the alphacalcidol+calcium group, significant improvements were found in TUG and BBS at the 3rd month; in TUG, RT and BBS at the 6th month. In the control group, there was no statistically significant difference in all balance tests at the 3rd and 6th months. Also, no statistically significant difference was determined between the groups at follow-up. There was no significant difference in or between the groups regarding 10-meter walk time test. Considering the number of falls, no significant difference was found between the groups at the 3rd and 6th months. Conclusion: It is thought that active vitamin D treatment has positive effects on balance in elderly women with vitamin D deficiency, however, its effect on number of falls is inadequate. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2011;57:89-93.