Relevance of vitamin D in fall prevention.

This review will summarize recent clinical studies and meta-analyses on the effect of vitamin D supplementation on fall prevention. As fall prevention is fundamental in fracture prevention at older age, we discuss if and to what extend the vitamin D effect on muscle modulates hip fracture risk. Further, to explain the effect of vitamin D on fall prevention, we will review the mechanistic evidence linking vitamin D to muscle health and the potentially selective effect of vitamin D on type II fast muscle fibers.

Statin Use and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Blood Level Response to Vitamin D Treatment of Older Adults.

Objectives: To determine whether statin use alters response of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level to vitamin D treatment.

Design: Pooled analysis.

Setting: Three double-blind randomized controlled trials that tested different doses of vitamin D.

Medical end-of-life decisions in Switzerland 2001 and 2013: Who is involved and how does the decision-making capacity of the patient impact?

Questions Under Study: In Switzerland, the prevalence of medical end-of-life practices had been assessed on a population level only once - in 2001 - until in 2013/14 an identical study was conducted. We aimed to compare the results of the 2001 and 2013 studies with a special focus on shared decision-making and patients' decision-making capacity.

Methods: Our study encompassed a 21.

Prevalence and determinants of sexually transmitted infections in women at risk undergoing abortion in a Swiss primary care setting.

Background: Specific prevalence data are needed to assess the burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in specific settings where data are scant, such as women seeking early termination of pregnancy (TOP). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of STIs and its determinants in women at risk (e. g.

Chemotherapy near the end of life: a retrospective single-centre analysis of patients' charts.

Background: Chemotherapy near the end of life is an issue frequently discussed nowadays. The concern is that chemotherapy could cause more harm than good in a palliative situation; this is even truer as the patient nears death. The objective of our study is to evaluate the aggressiveness of patient care near the end of life by determining how many cancer patients receive chemotherapy during their final weeks.

Gender-specific hip fracture risk in community-dwelling and institutionalized seniors age 65 years and older.

Unlabelled: In this study of acute hip fracture patients, we show that hip fracture rates differ by gender between community-dwelling seniors and seniors residing in nursing homes. While women have a significantly higher rate of hip fracture among the community-dwelling seniors, men have a significantly higher rate among nursing home residents.

Introduction: Differences in gender-specific hip fracture risk between community-dwelling and institutionalized seniors have not been well established, and seasonality of hip fracture risk has been controversial.

Relevance of vitamin D in bone and muscle health of cancer patients.

Cancer patients with advanced disease frequently feel weak and fatigued, and have an increased risk of fracture. At the same time several reports describe the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in these patients. This review will summarize the impact of vitamin D deficiency on muscle weakness and fracture risk.

Mild to moderate cognitive impairment is a major risk factor for mortality and nursing home admission in the first year after hip fracture.

Background: It is not well established if and to what extent mild to moderate cognitive impairment predicts mortality and risk of nursing home admission after hip fracture.

Objective: To investigate prospectively whether and to what extent mild to moderate cognitive impairment, contributes to mortality and admission to nursing home in the first year after acute hip fracture.

Methods: We enrolled 173 patients with acute hip fracture age 65 and older who reached a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of at least 15 during acute care after hip fracture repair.

Vitamin D: role in pregnancy and early childhood.

Several studies in pregnant women and early childhood suggest that vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <50 nmol/l) is common in both population groups. Recent recommendations have therefore reviewed the literature regarding the role of vitamin D in pregnant women and in early childhood. The Institute of Medicine, in their most recent assessment in 2010, recommended 600 IU per day in pregnant and lactating women.

Relevance of vitamin D in muscle health.

This review will summarize the impact of vitamin D deficiency on muscle health. Mechanistic evidence regarding the presence of the specific vitamin D receptor in muscle tissue and muscle biopsy abnormalities observed with deficiency will be reviewed, as well as molecular and non-molecular effects of vitamin D in muscle tissue. At the clinical level, the evidence from randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation on functional improvement and fall reduction will be summarized.