Vitamin D malabsorption in older adults is linked to decreased bone mineral density and an increased risk of which condition?

• A. Osteoporosis
• B. Osteoarthritis
• C. Osteomalacia
• D. Rickets

Answer: (A)

Vitamin D enables calcium absorption in the gut; when its malabsorption occurs, calcium uptake drops and the body increases bone turnover to maintain calcium levels. Over time this leads to loss of bone mineral density, causing the bones to become fragile and fractures more likely—this pattern defines osteoporosis. Osteomalacia is a defect in bone mineralization rather than just low bone density, often with bone pain and muscle weakness. Rickets is the pediatric counterpart of mineralization failure. Osteoarthritis is a joint degeneration not directly caused by vitamin D–related bone density loss. So the increased risk linked to vitamin D malabsorption in older adults is osteoporosis.