The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Jan 2009
Comparative StudyAssociation of low vitamin D levels with the frailty syndrome in men and women.
Although both vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]) insufficiency and the frailty syndrome are more prevalent in women than men, sex-specific associations have not been explored. We estimated sex-specific associations of low 25(OH)D with frailty. Vitamin D insufficiency can result in hyperparathyroidism, and thus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) was explored as a potential mediator in the relationship between 25(OH)D levels and frailty. ⋯ Vitamin D insufficiency was associated with frailty in men, but not in women. Results suggest that PTH mediates the relationship between 25(OH)D and nonenergy expenditure aspects of frailty.