Role of Nutrition in the Development of Osteomalacia in the Elderly

Abstract

A dietary survey was carried out on elderly people with osteomalacia. The commonest type of osteomalacia was that associated with partial gastrectomy. Although a dietary deficiency of vitamin D was suggested as a cause of the osteomalacia the intake of this substance was not significantly different from that in controls to explain the development of the disease. Patients with osteomalacia went outside much less than controls. Sunlight contributed to meeting their vitamin D requirements. Further consideration should be given to this factor in the etiology of post-gastrectomy osteomalacia.