The Association between Serum Vitamin D and Muscle Strength in Elderly Males Living in the Urban Area of Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

Background and Objectives : There are inconsistent in clinical evidences of association between calcidiol level and muscle strength.  The objectives of this study was to examine the association between calcidiol level and proximal muscle strength in elderly  males living in urban area of Khon Kaen Province, Thailand  and to compare the proximal muscle strength between vitamin D insufficiency and normal vitamin D groups.

Methods : This study was cross-sectional, descriptive study in municipality of  Khon Kaen Province, Thailand.  Measured the serum calcidiol and PTH levels, and the proximal muscle strength of lower extremities.

Results : There were no any association among calcidiol level and the strength of proximal muscles. When compared between the vitamin D insufficiency and normal groups, no any significant differences in age, height, and bone turnover markers, but significantly higher in weight and BMI in the vitamin D insufficiency than in normal group. But the muscle strength of quadriceps (19.65+15.00 lb vs. 14.83+7.73 lb) and hip adductor muscle (30.73+21.69 lb vs. 25.63+18.60 lb) were also higher in the vitamin D insufficiency than normal groups.

Conclusion : There were no any association among vitamin D level and proximal muscle strength. But the muscle strength of quadriceps and hip adductor in vitamin D insufficiency group were higher than in normal group. This might postulate that elderly males had strong muscle mass and the level of vitamin D was not less enough to cause muscle weakness.

Keywords : vitamin D insufficiency, calcidiol, muscle strength, elderly male