Insuficiência de vitamina D e menor comprimento dos telômeros em pessoas idosas da comunidade : estudo seccional

Abstract

Population aging and its implications have aroused scientific interest lately. Nutrients positively affecting cellular aging, such as vitamin D, have been highlighted for their supposed functions in the human genome. The present study aimed to verify if vitamin D insufficiency is associated with shorter telomere length in community-dwelling older people. A quantitative crosssectional study with 448 individuals aged 60 years or older in Alfenas-MG carried out data collection in two stages: a personal interview and blood collection. We later used the blood samples to quantify the relative telomere length and measure vitamin D levels in the serum. Statistical analyzes performed with Stata software version 13.0 allowed us to estimate the differences between groups using Pearson's χ2 test. We also carried out multiple logistic regression for the association analysis, having its magnitude by the crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR). The individuals in this study were predominantly women between 60 and 69 years old, co-residing with other people, having four or fewer years of schooling, and possessing a monthly income between 1 and 2 minimum wages. Regarding health conditions, the older people were identified with the prevalence of preserved cognitive function and without depressive symptoms, displaying independence to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living, neither using polypharmacy nor reporting osteoporosis but presenting multiple morbidities. The lower telomeric length was present in 25% of the older people. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 63.49%. Women and older people dependent on performing basic activities of daily living were more likely to have vitamin D insufficiency, regardless of age and years of schooling. There was no association between vitamin D deficiency and short telomere length among the older people analyzed, which reinforces the need for further studies on this topic to be carried out, especially with a longitudinal design.