Twelve elderly patients in a rehabilitation ward were given a four-week course of ultra-violet irradiation from a Vitalux lamp. They were compared with 12 controls selected from the same ward. Treatment produced a significant elevation in plasma 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) by the end of the second week and concentrations continued to rise over the four-week period. Subjects showing the greatest response were those starting with the lowest levels of plasma 25OHD. The findings suggest that ultra-violet irradiation is an effective means of treating vitamin D deficiency in old age and that patients with the greatest degree of deficiency show the greatest response.
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