Osteomalacia and Vitamin D Deficiency in the Elderly

Osteomalacia is one of the most common osteometabolic diseases among the elderly and may be associated with osteoporosis. It is typically caused by lack of vitamin D and is characterized by mineralization deficiency of the osteoid matrix in the cortical and trabecular bone, resulting in accumulation of osteoid tissue. Vitamin D deficiency is a pathogenic factor of osteoporosis that can be modified. 9 The elderly are at particularly high risk for developing osteomalacia, which is frequently misdiagnosed. 3