Vitamin D deficiency in the elderly: How can we improve rates of screening and supplementation in General Practice?

Aim: Vitamin D supplementation reduces falls and fractures in the elderly, yet screening and supplementation rates are generally inadequate. We therefore investigated whether rates of screening and supplementation could be improved through a brief, general practitioner (GP)-focussed, educational intervention. Methods: Clinical audits of vitamin D screening and supplementation in elderly patients attending a rural general practice were conducted before and after a GP educational intervention. Results: The simple GP educational intervention resulted in both vitamin D screening (11.1% versus 5% – 2 year period: and 6.11% versus 3.38% – 3 month period) and supplementation rates ≥ 700IU cholecalciferol daily (10% versus 5% – 2 year period; and 4.44% versus 0.97% – 3 month period) approximately doubling in elderly patients. Discussion: This preliminary study suggests that simple, cost-eff ective GP-focussed interventions can significantly improve vitamin D screening and supplementation rates in elderly patients, thereby potentially improving health outcomes in terms of falls and fractures in this ‘at risk’ population.