Factors associated with use of calcium and calcium/vitamin D supplements in older Mexican Americans: Results of the Hispanic EPESE study

• Published in: The American journal of geriatric pharmacotherapy Vol. 8; no. 2; p. 161
• Main Authors: Espino, David V, Liliana Oakes, S, Owings, Kathleen, Markides, Kyrakos S, Wood, Robert, Becho, Johanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2010
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Calcium - therapeutic use; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Collection; Dietary Supplements; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Status; Humans; Male; Mexican Americans - statistics & numerical data; Sex Factors; Southwestern United States; Vitamin D - therapeutic use; Southwestern United States
• ISSN: 1876-7761
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjopharm.2010.04.001

Current studies indicate that older Mexican Americans take fewer calcium or calcium/vitamin D supplements than do older non-Hispanic whites. Factors associated with calcium supplement use are not completely understood in this ethnic group. The purpose of this article was to determine the prevalence of calcium or calcium/vitamin D supplementation and factors associated with their use in older Mexican Americans. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a random sample of older Mexican Americans residing in the southwestern United States who had participated in the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly. Self-identified Mexican Americans >or=75 years of age were enrolled through household interviews in 2004-2005. Each subject was asked to bring all prescription and nonprescription medications that they had used regularly during the previous 2 weeks to allow the interviewer to record the product names. Dosages were not recorded. Subjects were assigned to 1 of 3 categories based on their use of calcium or calcium/vitamin D supplements during the previous 2 weeks: (1) calcium supplement only, (2) calcium/vitamin D supplement, or (3) vitamin D supplement only. The subjects' sociodemographic and cultural factors, self-reported health and functional status, cognitive status, number of comorbidities, and use of antiosteoporosis medications were recorded. A total of 2069 older Mexican Americans (1272 women, 797 men; mean age, 81.9 years) were enrolled. The overall prevalence of calcium supplement use was 10.6% (weighted). Calcium supplements were used more often by women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.17-2.63), subjects with multiple comorbidities (OR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10-1.50), those who interviewed in English (OR = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.06-2.40), and those who used antiosteoporosis medications (OR = 3.57; 95% CI, 1.85-6.89). Use of calcium or calcium/vitamin D supplements was low (<60%) among this group of older Mexican Americans. Men are particularly at risk. More should be done to raise awareness regarding the benefits of calcium supplementation in this ethnic group.