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1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃ and Muscle Strength in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial^*

Department of Epidemiology San Francisco, California 94121
Department of Medicine San Francisco, California 94121
Department of Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of California School of Medicine San Francisco, California 94121

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Deborah Grady, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Epidemiology and Medicine, University of California, Veterans Administration Medical Center (111A1), 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, California 94121.

An unexplained loss of muscle strength occurs with aging. Vitamin D deficiency can cause myopathy and administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25-(OH₂)D₃] to persons with low serum concentrations can improve strength. To test the hypothesis that the weakness associated with aging is in part due to inadequate serum concentrations of [1,25-(OH₂)D₃], we conducted a randomized, controlled, double blinded trial in 98 men and women volunteers over 69 yr old. Treatment consisted of 0.25 µg 1,25-(OH)₂D₃, orally, twice per day or identical placebo for 6 months. Leg muscle strength of the quadriceps was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. There was no difference between the two groups at 1 week, 1 month, or 6 months of treatment in any of the measures of muscle strength. We conclude that oral administration of 0.5 fig l,25-(OH)₂D₃/day does not improve muscle strength in older persons. Further research is needed to determine the etiology of the decline in muscle strength associated with aging.

^* This work was supported by Grant R01-AG-07477-02 from the NIA.

Received February 19, 1991.

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