A Chuck1, J Todd, B Diffey. 1. Department of Rheumatology, Dryburn Hospital, Durham, UK.
Abstract
AIM: To investigate whether daily subliminal ultraviolet-B irradiation in elderly subjects can maintain a normal vitamin D status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an open, uncontrolled study, 10 residents (four men and six women), mean age on entry of 83 years (range 65-97 years), from a residential nursing home in County Durham, England, were exposed daily to an artificial source of ultraviolet-B radiation equivalent to 15 min of summer sunshine. The change in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels following irradiation was measured. RESULTS: Improvement in the vitamin D status of the elderly residents was achieved with no change in their routine and with no intervention on the part of carers. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this small pilot study we conclude that subliminal ultraviolet-B irradiation may be effective in maintaining vitamin D status in elderly people at a lower cost than that of using oral vitamin D supplementation. Further controlled studies are needed before this technique can be recommended to change health policy with regard to the vitamin D status of institutionalised elderly people.
AIM: To investigate whether daily subliminal ultraviolet-B irradiation in elderly subjects can maintain a normal vitamin D status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an open, uncontrolled study, 10 residents (four men and six women), mean age on entry of 83 years (range 65-97 years), from a residential nursing home in County Durham, England, were exposed daily to an artificial source of ultraviolet-B radiation equivalent to 15 min of summer sunshine. The change in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels following irradiation was measured. RESULTS: Improvement in the vitamin D status of the elderly residents was achieved with no change in their routine and with no intervention on the part of carers. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this small pilot study we conclude that subliminal ultraviolet-B irradiation may be effective in maintaining vitamin D status in elderly people at a lower cost than that of using oral vitamin D supplementation. Further controlled studies are needed before this technique can be recommended to change health policy with regard to the vitamin D status of institutionalised elderly people.
Authors: Prakash Chandra; Linda L Wolfenden; Thomas R Ziegler; Junqiang Tian; Menghua Luo; Arlene A Stecenko; Tai C Chen; Michael F Holick; Vin Tangpricha Journal: Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed Date: 2007-10 Impact factor: 3.135
Authors: T R Hill; A Granic; K Davies; J Collerton; C Martin-Ruiz; M Siervo; J C Mathers; A J Adamson; R M Francis; S H Pearce; S Razvi; T B L Kirkwood; C Jagger Journal: Osteoporos Int Date: 2015-10-14 Impact factor: 4.507