Objective: To determine serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) concentration at diagnosis and 18 months in incident Parkinson’s disease (PD) compared to controls and to investigate associations with cognition and balance.

Background: 25OHD is lower among participants with prevalent PD than controls in cross-sectional studies. Among PD subjects, deficiency is associated with disease progression to complications such as cognitive impairment and dementia. Vitamin D status has not been determined in a prospective cohort of early PD with associated balance, gait and falls assessment.

Methods: Serum 25OHD concentration was determined by tandem mass spectrometry at baseline (PD, n=129; control, n=72) and after 18 months (PD, n=96; control, n=50) as part of a longitudinal study. Cognition was assessed using questionnaires and computerized tests. A proportion of participants also underwent detailed assessment of gait and balance and recorded falls prospectively.

Results: At baseline, median serum 250HD concentration was lower in PD subjects (35.9 nmol/L; interquartile range (IQR) 25.8 – 57.0) than control participants (47.2 nmol/L; IQR 30.6 – 64.7,p=0.021). This significant difference remained at 18 months (38.6 nmol/L; IQR: 21.9 – 52.0 vs. 47.4 nmol/L; IQR: 27.4 – 69.5, p=0.012, in PD vs. controls, respectively). Vitamin D status was not associated with either postural stability or cognition at baseline or 18 months, or with falls during the follow-up period.

Conclusions: Even at the earliest stages of disease, those with PD had significantly lower serum 25OHD concentrations than healthy control subjects. Low vitamin D status was not associated with impaired cognitive function or balance, or time to first fall.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/vitamin-d-in-early-parkinsons-disease/