A rationale for vitamin D prescribing in a falls clinic population.

OBJECTIVE to assess the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in a falls clinic population. To identify simple clinical predictors of vitamin D insufficiency. DESIGN prospective observational descriptive study. PARTICIPANTS 400 consecutive patients who attended a falls clinic taking referrals from a casualty department or general practitioners. RESULTS Hypovitaminosis D is very common, affecting at least 72% of a falls clinic population. The number of times an individual goes out per week and serum albumin are independent predictors of hypovitaminosis D, but the predictive value is low. CONCLUSIONS the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is high in a falls clinic population. It is difficult to predict which individuals are most at risk within this population. The benefits of vitamin D supplementation in older people are well recognized. Therefore in the absence of toxic effects, a pragmatic approach may be to supplement all attendees at a falls clinic.