Vitamin D Supplementation in Older Adults With Urinary Incontinence
Vitamin D Supplementation in Older Adults With Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common disorder among older women that greatly affects quality of life. Emerging evidence from observational studies links vitamin D insufficiency with UI. Prior to a larger intervention trial of vitamin D among older women with low serum vitamin D levels and urgency UI, we propose a pilot study in 100 older women comparing weekly, oral vitamin D3 50,000 IU to placebo. We hypothesize that adequate vitamin D supplementation will improve UI symptoms in older women with vitamin D deficiency. Changes in UI-episodes will be assessed by a 7-day bladder diary and other validated symptom measures administered at baseline and after 12-weeks of intervention. Serum calcium and 25(OH)D levels will be monitored. The expected outcomes will provide new knowledge regarding the impact of vitamin D supplementation on UI symptom improvement and inform a larger, randomized controlled clinical trial involving vitamin D supplementation.
Inclusion Criteria:
(1) Post-menopausal women (age ≥50 years of age); (2)Urine leakage for 3 or more months; (3) at least 3 urinary urgency incontinence episodes on a 7-day bladder diary; and (4) serum 25(OH)D level (vitamin D) is <30 ng/mL. Women who currently take a bladder medications (anticholinergic) for UI symptom control may enroll into the study if they agree to (1) cease taking these medications at least two weeks before the pre-intervention assessment and (2) not take these medications during the study's treatment and assessment period.
Exclusion Criteria:
(1) neurologic diseases known to affect UI; (2) Diseases known to affect vitamin D absorption and metabolism; (3) Prior pelvic floor radiation; (4) Obstructive causes of UI;(6)Current use of medications known to affect vitamin D levels; (7) Uncontrolled diabetes (Hemoglobin A1C>9%); (8) albumin corrected serum Calcium > 11.0 mg/dL; (9)history of hyperparathyroidism; (10) currently untreated kidney stones; (11) post void residual urine volume >200 ml; and, (12) current treatment with vitamin D >=1000IU/day (if not willing to stop taking).