Exploring Nutritional and Socio-demographic Linkages of Hypocalcaemia in Urban Geriatric Subjects: Evidence from Community Based Study

Abstract

Background: Hypocalcaemia in geriatric subjects is a global health issue. Hypocalcaemia can is serum calcium deficiency and diagnosed when serum calcium levels are less than 8.8 mg/dL. Limited exposure of sunlight, inadequate dietary intake and sedentary life style prevail among community-dwelling geriatric subjects may predispose them to subclinical or mild hypocalcaemia. Aim: To explore nutritional and sociodemographic linkage of hypocalcaemia in geriatric subjects. Materials and Methods: This community based cross sectional study was done on 557 urban geriatric subjects (≥60 years) of Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh. Multistage sampling procedure was adopted for selection of subjects. Tools and Techniques: Predesigned and pretested proforma was used to obtain socio demographic information and serum calcium content was assessed through Spectrophotometry-Ortho-Cresol phthalein Complex one method. Data analysis: Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for data analysis; Chi-square test was used for statistical significance. Results: Out of 552 subjects 31.3% had hypocalcaemia. Hypocalcaemia among geriatric subjects showed significant associations with marital status, family type, educational level, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. The highest prevalence of hypocalcaemia was observed among males (32.5%), subjects belonging to SC/ST categories (35.9%), living in joint families (34.8%), and subjects with intermediate-level education (46.8%), unskilled labourers (50.0%), and subjects from lower middle socioeconomic class (37.0%). Subjects with high body fat percent and low muscle mass had more hypocalcaemia. Conclusion: Five out of 16 subjects had hypocalcaemia. Significant associations with key sociodemographic and anthropometric factors, including marital status, family type, educational level, waist circumference, body fat percentage and muscle mass, indicating a substantial public health concern.