Elderly with low vitamin D were depressed, anxious, or stressed (Saudi Arabia) – March 2024

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The Concealed Hazard: Vitamin D Deficiency, Awareness, and Its Impact on Psychological Wellness among Elderly

Noha Ahmed Mohameda, Sameer Hamdy Hafeza,b*, Ahmad A. Alshehric, Abdalla MohamedAhmed Osman Abdallab, Hoda Khalifa Abdelhady e,f, Hanan Saad Abdullah Alwadeib, Abdelelah Abdelgadir Ahmedd, Elsadig Eltaher Hamed Abdulrahmand, Nahla Elradhi Abdulrahmanb, Nahid Khalil Elfakib, Sadeq Abdo Alwesabid , Mohammed Ateeg Abdelrahman Ahmedb

Depression, Anxiety, or Stress

Background: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its consequences is expected to increase with ageing. Consequently, this study aimed to explore the prevalence of the hidden danger posed by vitamin D deficiency among the elderly, awareness and its impact on psychological well-being. A cross-sectional study design was employed in Najran City, using a convenient sample of 100 elderly.

Data collection included socio-demographic information, serum 25 (OH) D analyses, knowledge questionnaires, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21).

Results revealed that 9% of the sample had deficient vitamin D levels (<20 ng/mL), 33% were insufficient (20-29 ng/mL), and 58% were sufficient (>30 ng/mL). Knowledge about vitamin D was satisfactory only in 23%. Negative emotional states were mild in 40%, moderate in 31%, and severe in 29% of the sample. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between knowledge/lifestyle scores and vitamin D (p<0.0001). Moreover, a highly significant association was found between vitamin D sufficiency levels and negative psychological states (p=0.0002).

Conclusion: The findings of this study highlighted the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among elderly individuals where about the third had vitamin D deficiency, a significant proportion of participants exhibited unsatisfactory knowledge about vitamin D (47%). The study also revealed the significant association between varying degrees of negative emotional states among the elderly and their sufficiency levels of vitamin D.

Recommendations: perform routine screening for vitamin D levels among elderly individuals especially those at risk of deficiency due to limited sun exposure or dietary factors and raising awareness about the importance of vitamin D, sources of supplementation, and the role of adequate levels in overall health.
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VitaminDWiki - 12 Senior Depression studies

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VitaminDWiki – Seniors contains:

429 items in Seniors

see also
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13 reasons why many seniors need more vitamin D (both dose and level) - July 2023 has:

1. Senior skin produces 4X less Vitamin D for the same sun intensity
2. Seniors have fewer vitamin D receptor genes as they age
   Receptors are needed to get Vitamin D in blood actually into the cells
3. Many other Vitamin D genes decrease with age
4. Since many gene activations are not detected by a blood test,
   more Vitamin D is often needed, especially by seniors
5. Seniors are indoors more than when they were younger
   not as agile, weaker muscles; frail, no longer enjoy hot temperatures
6. Seniors wear more clothing outdoors than when younger
   Seniors also are told to fear skin cancer & wrinkles
7. Seniors often take various drugs which end up reducing vitamin D
   Some reductions are not detected by a vitamin D test of the blood
   statins, chemotherapy, anti-depressants, blood pressure, beta-blockers, etc
8. Seniors often have one or more diseases that consume vitamin D
   osteoporosis, diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, ...
9. Seniors generally put on weight as they age - and a heavier body requires more vitamin D
10. Seniors often (40%) have fatty livers – which do not process vitamin D as well
11. Reduced stomach acid means less Magnesium is available to get vitamin D into the cells
12. Vitamin D is not as bioavailable in senior intestines
13. Seniors with poorly functioning kidneys do not process vitamin D as well
       Seniors category has 429 items

• Vitamin D deficient seniors in acute care were more agitated and disinhibited – April 2024
• Nursing homes and Vitamin D - many studies