Introduction:

Vitamin D offers beneficial effects that reportedly help maintain musculoskeletal function.

Aim:

To analyze the effect of calcidiol levels on muscle function in both hands, on activities of daily life and on changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in an unselected population.

Material and methods:

The EVOS study cohort was used, which carried out, among others, measures of muscular strength of grip in both hands, questions related to difficulty in performing daily activities, densitometric study in the lumbar and hip spine, and biochemistry to determine the levels of calcidiol.

Results:

Calcidiol values ≥20 ng/mL were associated with greater grip strength in both hands. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI and seasonality, calcidiol levels <20 ng/mL were independently associated with lower grip strength only in the left hand (OR=2.35; 95% CI: 1.03-5.38). Likewise, the inability or difficulty to "pick up a book or object from a high shelf" and "get up from the bed" were significantly associated with calcidiol levels <20 ng/mL. Levels of calcidiol <20 ng/mL were associated with greater BMD losses in the femoral neck and total hip. These associations were maintained in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

Maintaining levels of calcidiol ≥20 ng/mL was associated with greater muscular strength of grip in the hands, maintenance of daily activities and lower BMD losses in the hip. This study corroborates the utility of maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D to maintain musculoskeletal function.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English | Spanish     · English ( pdf ) | Spanish ( pdf )