Vitamin D status among Indonesian elderly women living in institutionalized care units.

AIM: to obtain the profile of vitamin D deficiency in Indonesian elderly women. METHODS: it is a cross-sectional study in 74 elderly women from 4 randomly chosen institutionalized care units in two cities, Jakarta and Bekasi. Data collection included characteristics of subjects, 25(OH)D and PTH, concentration,skin type, nutrient intake including protein, calcium, and vitamin D, and use of sun screen. RESULTS: the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency among Indonesian elderly women in institutionalized care is about 35.1%. Most of deficient subjects went out-door only once a week (38.5%). Veil was the most sun protection worn by the subjects and most subjects had length of sun exposure 30-60 minutes a week. The mean daily intake of vitamin D was 0.6 IU, protein was 33.9 gr/day and calcium was 239.9 mg/day,and cut-off of serum 25(OH)D in Indonesian elderly women is (suspected) to be 75.9 nmol/L. CONCLUSION: we conclude that the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency among Indonesian elderly women in institutionalized care is about 35.1% and cut-off of serum 25(OH)Din Indonesian elderly women is (suspected) to be 75.9 nmol/L. Population based study in Indonesia is needed to determine the normal value of 25(OH)D in Indonesian elderly women.