Abstract

There are very few reports focusing on a role of vitamin D in falls and the related factors in the non-elderly (18-64 years). A cross-sectional survey was addressed to investigate associations between falls, the related factors, and 25[OH]D3 status in 256 non-elderly adults that regularly work indoors at latitude 40° north region. The mean value of the serum 25[OH]D3 was 15.6 ± 7.0 ng/ml. We divided the serum 25[OH]D3 levels into 3 groups. The deficient, inadequate, and adequate group was at a level of <12.0, 12.0 to < 20, and ≧ 20 ng/ml. Percentage of each group was 35, 38, and 27%. Therefore, 73% of the 256 non-elderly adults working indoors did not have adequate serum 25[OH] D3. Falls prevalence of the past 12 months was 8.9, 5.1 and 11.8%, respectively. The mean age of the 3 groups was 37.2 ± 12.5, 39.7 ± 13.2, and 42.0 ± 13.4 years, and it was significantly older in the adequate group (p<0.01). No associations were found in the prevalence of falls, spinal alignment, bone, muscle status, laboratory data among the 3 groups. Therefore, assessment of Vitamin D status in the non-elderly adults may be less valuable as far as falls and the related factors were concerned.

Key words: 25[OH]D3, falls prevalence, non-elderly indoor workers, 40° north latitude.