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Longitudinal changes and seasonal variations in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in different age groups: results of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

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Abstract

Summary

Vitamin D levels remained fairly stable during ageing with increasing levels in persons aged 55–65 years old and decreasing levels in persons aged 65–88 years old. The seasonal variation was larger than the longitudinal change. Our findings implicate that vitamin D supplementation becomes more important in older age groups and during wintertime.

Introduction

Longitudinal changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels during aging have not been studied extensively. Two studies showed increasing serum 25-OHD levels. One of these studies suggested that there might be decreasing levels in persons aged 65 years and older. The objectives of the current study are the following: (1) to examine longitudinal changes in serum 25-OHD levels in different age groups and (2) to describe the seasonal variation in different age groups.

Methods

Data of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), an ongoing cohort study, were used. Two different cohorts were included: (1) younger cohort: aged 55–65 years old at baseline, n = 738, follow-up of 6 years and (2) older cohort: aged 65–88 years old at baseline, n = 1,320, follow-up of 13 years.

Results

At baseline, average levels were 56.5 nmol/L in the younger cohort and 51.1 nmol/L in the older cohort. In the younger cohort, a longitudinal increase in the mean serum 25-OHD levels of 4 nmol/L in 6 years was observed; in the older cohort, a longitudinal decrease in the mean serum 25-OHD levels of 4 nmol/L in 13 years was observed. The seasonal variation was ±12 nmol/L in the younger cohort and ±7 nmol/L in the older cohort.

Conclusions

Long-term serum 25-OHD levels remained fairly stable during aging with slightly increasing levels in persons aged 55–65 years old and slightly decreasing levels in persons aged 65–88 years old. On average, the seasonal variation was larger than the longitudinal change. Our findings implicate that vitamin D supplementation becomes more important in older age groups and during wintertime.

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Acknowledgments

This study is based on data collected in the context of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), which is largely supported by a grant from the Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports, Directorate of Nursing Care and Older persons. We would like to acknowledge our colleagues from the laboratories of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, Isala Klinieken (Weezenlanden) in Zwolle, and Ziekenhuis Bernhoven in Oss, Veghel, and Uden. Assessment of serum 25-OHD levels was supported in part by a research grant from the Investigator Initiated Studies Program of Merck & Co., Inc. The opinion expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Merck & Co., Inc.

Conflicts of interest

Dr. Lips served as a consultant for Merck. Dr. Lips and Dr. van Schoor received a research grant from Merck. Dirk Knol, Dorly Deeg, Frans Peters, and Annemieke Heijboer declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    N. M. van Schoor, D. L. Knol & D. J. H. Deeg

  2. Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    D. J. H. Deeg

  3. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Ziekenhuis Bernhoven, Uden, The Netherlands

    F. P. A. M. N. Peters

  4. Endocrine Laboratory, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    A. C. Heijboer

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrine Section, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    P. Lips

Authors
  1. N. M. van Schoor
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  2. D. L. Knol
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  3. D. J. H. Deeg
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  4. F. P. A. M. N. Peters
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  5. A. C. Heijboer
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  6. P. Lips
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Correspondence to N. M. van Schoor.

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van Schoor, N.M., Knol, D.L., Deeg, D.J.H. et al. Longitudinal changes and seasonal variations in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in different age groups: results of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Osteoporos Int 25, 1483–1491 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-014-2651-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-014-2651-3

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