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Study finds three-quarters of hip fracture patients vitamin D deficient

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A recent study has revealed high rates of vitamin D deficiency among hip fracture patients, reportedly confirming conclusions of similar international studies which point to the vitamin deficiency as a risk factor for hip fracture.

The findings mean that vitamin D levels may be a useful index for the assessment of hip fracture risk in the elderly, according to the study authors.

In the study, a group of 90 hip fracture patients was compared to a matched control group of similar age, sex and co-morbidity from October 2008 to February 2010. Levels of serum 25 (OH)-D, intact parathyroid hormone (intact PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, serum calcium and serum phosphorous were examined in each group.

Hypovitaminosis D was defined in the study as having serum 25 (OH)-D under 20 ng/dl. The upper normal limit for serum intact PTH was taken as 54 pg/dl.

The researchers found that serum 25 (OH)-D, serum calcium and serum albumin levels were “significantly lower” in patients with hip fracture than in controls, whereas the intact PTH and ALP levels were “significantly higher” in patients with hip fracture – a significant negative correlation between serum 25 (OH)-D and intact PTH.

Of the patients who had suffered hip fractures, 76.7% were shown by serum 25 (OH)-D levels to be vitamin D deficient. Nearly 70% had elevated levels of PTH. In comparison, 32.3% of the controls had vitamin D deficiency, with 42.2% displaying elevated PTH levels.

The group concluded that with 76.7% of hip fracture patients displaying vitamin D deficiency and two-thirds displaying secondary hyperparathyroidism, the conditions may be closely associated with hip fracture in the elderly – indicating that serum 25 (OH)-D level may be a useful index for the assessment of hip fracture risk.

Reference:

• Sahoo SK, Dhanwal DK, Gautam VK. Hip fracture patients in India have vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Paper OC13. Osteoporos Int. 2010; 21(Suppl 5):S663–S674.
• Disclosure: The authors have reported no direct or financial interest in any product or company mentioned in their study.

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