ESPEN 2013 - Late breaking abstract submission
Late Breaking Abstract
ESPEN13-1832
SERUM 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D3 LEVELS IN MODERATE ALZHEIMER´S DISEASE PATIENTS
O. L. Vicente De Sousa 1,*T. F. Amaral 2
1Geriatric Unit, Hospital Magalhães Lemos, 2Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Rationale: Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin D(VitD) supplementation should be initiated in the absence of sun exposure, inadequate diet or for people living above 33º latitude, according to guidelines. However, Portugal is on 37º-42º latitude and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3] is not routinely assessed. The main purpose of this study was to describe serum 25(OH)D3 levels in patients with moderate Alzheimer disease living in Porto, Portugal.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 patients with moderate Alzheimer’s disease (18 men/32 women; age:76.6 ±7.9 years) without VitD supplement use. Nutritional status using MNA, body composition, VitD levels, cognitive function and functional status were assessed. We considered 25(OH)D3 inadequacy when concentration was <30ng/mL and severe deficiency when 25(OH)D3 concentration was <10ng/mL.
Results: Thirty three (66.0%) were classified as undernourished (MNA≤17), 17 (34.0%) were classified as at risk of undernutrition (MNA score 17.1-23.4) and none was classified as normal. Mean serum 25(OH)D3 levels were 15.8±6.6ng/mL and 14.9±7.2ng/mL, respectively. Among undernourished patients, 5 (15.2%) had severe 25(OH)D3 deficiency (<10ng/mL), 26 (78.8%) insufficiency (<30ng/mL) and 2 (6.0%) normal levels. From patients at undernutrition risk, 4 (23.5%) were classified severe 25(OH)D3 deficiency (<10ng/mL), 12 (70.6%) insufficiency (<30ng/mL) and 1 (5.9%) normal (>30ng/mL).
Conclusion: We found 76% of patients showing insufficient serum 25(OH)D3 levels and 18% with severe 25(OH)D3 deficiency. These results confirm a high frequency of hypovitaminosis D and highlights the relevance of measuring VitD levels as a part of nutritional status assessment in moderate Alzheimer`s disease patients.
Disclosure of Interest: None Declared
Keywords: VITAMIN D Alzheimer`s disease