A Randomized, Open-Label Study to Assess Efficacy of Weekly Assumption of Cholecalciferol versus Calcifediol in Older Patients with Hypovitaminosis D

• Published in: Geriatrics (Basel) Vol. 7; no. 1; p. 13
• Main Authors: Okoye, Chukwuma, Calsolaro, Valeria, Niccolai, Filippo, Calabrese, Alessia Maria, Franchi, Riccardo, Rogani, Sara, Coppini, Giulia, Morelli, Virginia, Caraccio, Nadia, Monzani, Fabio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 07.01.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Age; Body mass index; calcifediol; cholecalciferol; Creatinine; Dietary supplements; Drug dosages; Geriatrics; hypovitaminosis D; older patient; Older people; Patients; Population; Statistical analysis; Vitamin D; Vitamin deficiency; United States > US; cholecalciferol; older patient; hypovitaminosis D; calcifediol; vitamin D
• ISSN: 2308-3417; 2308-3417
• DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics7010013

The aim of this single-center, open-label, randomized controlled study was to evaluate which formulation of vitamin D-between cholecalciferol and calcifediol-is most effective in the treatment of hypovitaminosis D in older adults. Demographic characteristics, clinical history, and comprehensive geriatric assessment were recorded at admission. Eligible patients were randomly assigned an equivalent vitamin D supplement, either with cholecalciferol or calcifediol, from the time of hospital admission to three months after discharge. Among the 140 older patients included (mean age 83 ± 6.6 years, 57.8% females), 69 received cholecalciferol and 71 received calcifediol. The mean plasma values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OH-vitamin D3) found at the time of enrollment were 16.8 ± 9.9 ng/mL in patients receiving cholecalciferol and 18.8 ± 13.3 ng/mL in those treated with calcifediol ( = 0.31). At the three month follow-up, the mean concentration of 25OH-vitamin D3 was significantly higher in patients treated with calcifediol than in those receiving cholecalciferol (30.7 ± 8.4 vs. 45.4 ± 9.8 ng/mL, respectively; < 0.001). Supplementation with either cholecalciferol or calcifediol effectively results in reaching the optimal circulating values of 25OH-vitamin D3 in older patients suffering from hypovitaminosis D. However, supplementation with calcifediol led to average circulating values of 25OH-vitamin D3 that were significantly higher (over 50%) than those obtained with cholecalciferol.