Vitamin D supplementation in later life: a systematic review of efficacy and safety in movement disorders.

Introduction: Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitating middle to old-aged patients with neurological diseases including movement disorders (MDs). Despite the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in many patients with MDs, data supporting supplementation's effectiveness and safety is sparse and conflicting, therefore, our explicit objective was to provide an all-encompassing review of the subject. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and other scientific databases was conducted up to November 1 2023. The searches included RCTs in all languages with human participants aged 35 and above and not meeting these requirements led to exclusion. Results: Four studies on Parkinson's disease (PD) and one on restless legs syndrome (RLS) including 369 MD patients, however, none in a rehabilitation context, were found. Although three of the four PD studies showed better outcomes, such as decreasing levodopa-induced dyskinesia or enhancing physical performance in some or all domains, the RLS study did not identify symptom improvement. The one serious adverse effect observed, cerebral infarction, aroused safety concerns, however its relationship to vitamin D consumption is questionable. Structurally the studies can be characterized by large variations in patient populations, in primary outcomes, and disease severity, but typically a relatively short duration of therapy in most cases. With other limitations such as the small number of studies, major trial design heterogeneity, limited sample sizes, and a greatly variable Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) evaluation, only a qualitative synthesis was feasible. Discussion: Two main implications can be inferred from these results, which we interpret as cautiously promising but overall insufficient for firm recommendations. First, there is an urgent need for more research on the role of vitamin D in MDs in the middle- to older-aged population, particularly during rehabilitation. Second, given the benefits of vitamin D supplementation for those who are deficient, we recommend routine screening and supplementation for MD patients.

The Role of Vitamin D in Basal Ganglia Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D (VitD) has been shown to influence several cellular processes in the brain. The extent to which VitD plays a role in the pathomechanism of neuronal loss and dysfunction in basal ganglia diseases (BGDs) is still debated. There is yet to be a comprehensive study that provides an overview of all of the most relevant BGDs. METHODS: PubMed, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for observational studies that investigated the association between serum VitD levels and BGDs up to March 2022. RESULTS: We extracted 60 studies, but with a great variety of design and quality. VitD deficiency appears to be common in most BGDs, but only in Parkinson's disease (PD) has a causal association been fully examined. There is some evidence that low VitD serum levels influence symptom severity, most notably in restless legs syndrome (RLS), PD, and tic disorders. The effects of vitamin D supplementation were studied in three BGDs, with results mostly favorable for RLS, ambiguous for tics, and mostly unfavorable for PD. CONCLUSIONS: There are still various elements of BGDs with insufficient, ambiguous, or altogether absent evidence, and further high-quality research is required. However, there appears to be sufficient scientific justification already to recommend that practitioners treating BGDs check serum VitD levels and supplement as appropriate.

Accidental Falls in Patients with Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Background: The significance of falls and their repercussions in Parkinson's disease has been extensively researched. However, despite potentially serious effects on health and quality of life and negative impact on the healthcare system, there is not a sufficient understanding of the role of falls in hyperkinetic movement disorders (HKMDs). This review aims to provide an overview of the prevalence of falls, injuries, and preventive measures in the most common HKMDs. Methods: Studies up to May 1, 2022 were searched in PubMed using Medical Subjects Headings of relatively prevalent HKMDs associated with the terms "accidental falls", "injuries", "fractures", and "accident prevention". Results: In our review of 37 studies out of 155, we found evidence that for several HKMDs, such as spinocerebellar ataxia, essential tremor, Huntington's disease, and dystonia, fall risk is increased. Falls were reported in up to 84% of spinocerebellar ataxia patients, 59% of essential tremor patients, and 79% of Huntington's patients, with 65% of the latter falling frequently. Injuries occurred in up to 73% in Huntington and 74% in ataxia patients. Most of the common diseases characterized by HKMDs were investigated for both fall causes and consequences, but prevention studies were limited to spinocerebellar ataxia and Huntington's disease. Discussion: The limited available data suggest that patients with several HKMDs can be considered to be at increased risk of falling and that the consequences can be serious. As a result, physicians should be advised to include fall exploration in their routine workup and provide advice for safer mobility. In general, more research into fall-related concerns in HKMDs is necessary. Highlights: In contrast to Parkinson's disease, the prevalence of accidental falls, their repercussions, and preventive strategies are under-investigated in hyperkinetic movement disorders (HKMDs). Several HKMDs such as essential tremor, ataxia, and Huntington's disease have reported fall rates of up to 84% and fall-related injury rates of up to 74%. Therefore, routine examinations of HKMD patients should include a fall exploration and provide advice on safe mobility.

Vitamin D and Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Background: The importance of vitamin D deficiency in Parkinson's disease, its negative influence on bone health, and even disease pathogenesis has been studied intensively. However, despite its possible severe impact on health and quality of life, there is not a sufficient understanding of its role in other movement disorders. This systematic review aims at providing an overview of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, bone metabolism alterations, and fractures in each of the most common hyperkinetic movement disorders (HKMDs). Methods: The study search was conducted through PubMed with keywords or Medical Related Subjects (MeSH) of common HKMDs linked with the terms of vitamin D, osteoporosis, injuries, and fractures. Results: Out of 1585 studies screened 40 were included in our review. They show that there is evidence that several HKMDs, including Huntington disease, Restless Legs Syndrome, and tremor, are associated with low vitamin D serum levels in up to 83% and 89% of patients. Reduced bone mineral density associated with vitamin D insufficiency was described in Huntington disease. Discussion: Our survey suggests that vitamin D deficiency, bone structure changes, and fractures are important but yet under-investigated issues in HKMDs. HKMDs-patients, particularly with a history of previous falls, should have their vitamin D-levels tested and supplemented where appropriate. Highlights: Contrary to Parkinson's disease, vitamin D deficiency, and bone abnormalities are under-investigated in hyperkinetic movement disorders (HKMDs). Several HKMDs, including essential tremor, RLS, and Huntington disease, are associated with vitamin D deficiency in up to 89%, the latter also with reduced bone mineral density. Testing and where appropriate supplementation is recommended.

The impact of neurological disorders on the risk for falls in the community dwelling elderly: a case-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: Owing to a lack of data, our aim was to evaluate and compare the impact of various common neurological diseases on the risk for falls in independent community dwelling senior citizens. DESIGN: Prospective case-controlled study. SETTING: General hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Of 298 consecutive patients and 214 controls enrolled, 228 patients (aged 74.5±7.8; 61% women) and 193 controls (aged 71.4±6.8; 63% women) were included. The exclusion criteria were as follows: for patients, severe disability, disabling general condition or severe cognitive impairment; for controls, any history of neurological disorders or disabling medical conditions; and for both, age below 60 years. A matching process led to 171 age-matched and gender-matched pairs of neurological patients and healthy controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A 1-year incidence of falls based on patients' 12-month recall; motor and non-motor function tests to detect additional risk factors. RESULTS: 46% of patients and 16% of controls fell at least once a year. Patients with stroke (89%), Parkinson's disease (77%), dementia (60%) or epilepsy (57%) had a particularly high proportion of fallers, but even subgroups of patients with the least fall-associated neurological diseases like tinnitus (30%) and headache (28%) had a higher proportion of fallers than the control group. Neuropathies, peripheral nerve lesions and Parkinson's disease were predisposing to recurrent falls. A higher number of neurological comorbidities (p<0.001), lower Barthel Index values (p<0.001), lower Activities-Specific Balance Confidence scores (p<0.001) and higher Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression scores (p<0.001) as well as higher age (p<0.001) and female gender (p=0.003) proved to further increase the risk of falls. CONCLUSIONS: Medical practitioners, allied health professionals and carers should be aware that all elderly neurological patients seen in outpatient settings are potentially at high risk for falls; they should query them routinely about previous falls and fall risks and advise them on preventive strategies.