BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with reduced muscle strength, functional limitations and disability and can sometimes lead to falls in the elderly. This study was carried out to specify the prevalence of falls and its association with serum vitamin D levels in the elderly population of Amirkola city.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study is a part of Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP). Frequency of falls was studied in two stages. In the first stage, questions were asked about occurrence of falls over the last 12 months and in the second stage, a 6-month follow-up was carried out for the elderly. To obtain vitamin D levels, serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in morning blood samples of the elderly were measured.

FINDINGS: 1616 elderly people entered the study. The mean age was 69.37±7.42. Prevalence of falls for all elderly people, men and women was 17%, 14% and 22.4%, respectively over the last 12 months. With increasing age, the prevalence of falls increased in men (p<0.001) but no such relationship was observed in women. According to a 6-month follow-up, mean frequency of falls in women (17.43±98.25) was higher than men (7.63±36.49) (p=0.012). The mean serum vitamin D levels in elderly people without a history of falls over the last 12 months was 33.33±30.79 ng/mL, while it was 36.81±35.68 ng/mL in elderly people with a history of falls.

CONCLUSION: Prevalence of falls in older women was higher than men. There is no relationship between falls and serum vitamin D levels in men and women