2Fizyotem Medical Center TRABZON Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in ParkinsonÂ’s disease (PD). We investigated 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] values and related factors in ambulatory patients with PD.
Materials and Method: This descriptive study included 48 (25 women, 23 men) patients with idiopathic PD. Serum 25(OH)D and parathormone levels as well as falls within the previous six months were recorded. Disease severity was evaluated by Hoehn and Yahr Scale. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the L1-L4 spine and femoral neck.
Results: Mean age was 64.4±10.2 years. Mean disease duration was 5.5±3.0 years. Median Hoehn and Yahr stage was 2 (Min-max: 1-3). Mean serum 25(OH)D level was 27.35±9.83 ng/mL. 54.1% of the patients with PD had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. The falling rate in the last six months was 41.7%. Median number of falls was 1.5 (Min-max: 1-5). There was a statistically significantly negative correlation between serum 25(OH)D level and disease duration, disease severity, number of falls, and serum parathormone level, whereas a significant positive correlation was found between serum 25(OH)D level and femoral neck BMD. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that disease duration and number of falls were the predictors of the serum 25(OH)D level (Adjusted R2=0.54, F=28.6, p<0.0001).
Conclusion: This study suggests that disease duration and number of falls are main predictors for low serum vitamin D level, and that serum parathormone level and femoral neck bone density may be affected by low serum vitamin D level in patients with PD.
Keywords : Parkinson disease; Bone density; Avitaminosis; 25-hydroxyvitamin D2; Osteoporosis