Context: Vitamin D deficiency is not adequately evaluated in older men

Objective: To determine the prevalence of deficiency and identify risk factors for its occurrence

Design: A cross sectional evaluation of 1606 older men enrolled in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study

Setting: General community

Participants: A randomly selected subcohort of a large population of men from six US communities

Main outcome measures: Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D₂ and 25(OH)D₃ were measured using mass spectrometry

Results: Deficiency (25(OH)D <20 ng/mL) was present in 26% and insufficiency (< 30 ng/mL) in 72%. Deficiency was particularly common among men during the winter and spring (especially in the Northern communities), and in the oldest and more obese men. For instance, in Caucasian men in winter or spring who were >80 years, did not engage in lawn/garden work, and had a BMI >25 and vitamin D intake <400 IU/day, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 86%. 25(OH)D₂ levels were present in a small fraction of men, and accounted for a low proportion of total 25(OH)D levels. The use of vitamin D supplements was reported by 58% of men, but supplement use had a small effect on total 25(OH)D levels and despite supplement use low levels remained frequent.

Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is common in older men, and is especially prevalent in obese, sedentary men living at higher latitudes. Use of vitamin D supplements at levels reported here did not result in adequate vitamin D nutrition.