Vitamin D and Delirium in Older Adults: A Case-Control Study in Geriatric Acute Care Unit
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
Authors: Chouet, Justine; Sacco, Guillaume; Karras, Spyridon N.; Llewellyn, David J.; Sanchez-Rodriguez, Dolores; Annweiler, Cedric
Abstract
Objective:Vitamin D is involved in brain health and function. Our objective was to determine whether the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration was associated with delirium in a case-control study of geriatric inpatients. Methods:Sixty cases with delirium (mean +/- SD, 84.8 +/- 5.7years; 58.3% female) and 180 age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled in a geriatric acute care unit between 2012 and 2014. The diagnosis of delirium was made using the Confusion Assessment Method. Hypovitaminosis D was defined using consecutively the consensual threshold value of 50 nmol/L and a threshold value calculated from a sensitivity-specificity analysis. Age, gender, number of acute diseases, use of psychoactive drugs, season of testing, and serum concentrations of calcium, parathyroid hormone, creatinine, albumin, TSH, vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 were used as potential confounders. Results:The 60 cases with delirium exhibited lower 25OHD concentration than 180 matched controls (35.4 +/- 30.0 nmol/L vs. 45.9 +/- 34.5 nmol/L,p= 0.035). Increased 25OHD concentration was associated with a decrease in delirium prevalence (OR = 0.99 [95CI: 0.98-0.99] per nmol/L of 25OHD,p= 0.038). The concentration distinguishing between cases and controls with the best sensitivity-specificity was found between 29.5 and 30.5 nmol/L. The regression models showed that delirium was associated with hypovitaminosis D defined either as 25OHD <= 50 nmol/L (OR = 2.37 [95CI: 1.07-5.25],p= 0.034) or as 25OHD <= 30 nmol/L (OR = 2.66 [95 CI: 1.30-5.45],p= 0.008). Conclusions:Decreased serum 25OHD concentrations were associated with delirium among acute geriatric inpatients. The threshold concentration to differentiate between cases and controls was around 30 nmol/L.
Long-Term Follow-Up and Outcomes of Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Childhood
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
Authors: Admoni, Osnat; Rath, Shoshana; Almagor, Tal; Elias-Assad, Ghadir; Tenenbaum-Rakover, Yardena
Abstract
Background:Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism in children. The natural outcome of AIT in childhood has been reported previously however follow-up duration is generally short and results variable. Objectives:To characterize clinical and biochemical findings at presentation of AIT, evaluate long-term outcomes and assess which factors at presentation predict evolution over time. Study cohort:201 children under 18 years of age at presentation (82% female) were enrolled. Subjects were divided into five subgroups according to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level at referral. Results:Mean follow-up was 8.1 years (range 0-29 years). At presentation, 34% of patients had overt hypothyroidism, 32% subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), 16% compensated hypothyroidism, 14% were euthyroid, and 3.7% had Hashitoxicosis. Children with overt hypothyroidism were younger (10.6 vs. 13.2 years) and had higher thyroid peroxidase antibody titers. At the time of the study, levothyroxine (LT4) therapy was required in 26% of children who were euthyroid at presentation, 56% of SCH patients, 83-84% of those with TSH above 10 mIU/L, and 57% of those with Hashitoxicosis. Over the years, 16% of children presenting with overt hypothyroidism stopped therapy. Free T(4)at presentation was the only predictor of outcome over time. Conclusions:Our findings suggest that only 26% children who were euthyroid at presentation developed hypothyroidism, whereas over 50% of those with SCH went on to require treatment. Of those presenting with overt hypothyroidism, 16% recovered with time. The only predictive parameter for LT(4)therapy at the end of the study was free T(4)levels at presentation. Long-term follow-up is required to determine ongoing therapy needs and screen for additional autoimmune diseases.