The Relationship Between Vitamin D, Fingernail Thickness and Bone Density

Completed · Phase 1

Conditions studied: Osteoporosis

In brief

Vitamin D deficiency is common in the elderly and contributes to the increased incidence of falls, hip fracture and depression in this population. An unknown number of elderly have vitamin D resistance resulting in a functional vitamin D deficiency state. Because there are no simple procedures or blood tests that identify vitamin D resistance, its prevalence and contribution to disability in the elderly is unknown. Our inability to screen for this condition precludes our ability to initiate and monitor treatment. Previous studies indicate that fingernail thickness correlates with vitamin D status and may therefore provide a simple cost effective procedure to not only identify patients with vitamin D deficiency but also, those with vitamin D resistance. This procedure may also provide a way to monitor an individual's response to treatment. This study is designed to demonstrate the association between fingernail thickness and vitamin D status.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00006196

Run by

National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)

Last updated by the study team

2005-06-24

Who can join

Age: 25 and older, up to 75. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• females 25-75 years of age with no known bone disorders

You may not qualify if…

• history of vertebral fractures or nonvertebral fractures without trauma
• prescription medications for prevention of osteoporosis (including vitamin D other than multivitamin and estrogen)
• history of malignancy other than basal cell or squamous cell cancer of the skin
• use of steroids or anticonvulsants in the 6 months prior to enrollment

Where it is running

• 4488 Forest Park, Suite 201 — St Louis, Missouri, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.