Study of orthopedic patients in Korea shows most are vitamin D deficient or insufficient

A cross-sectional study of orthopedic patients treated in Seongnam-si, Korea, showed 91.2% of patients exhibited either insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D.

“Vitamin D level in Korean orthopedic patients of this region was extremely low, regardless of sex and age. Although vitamin D was not directly associated with bone mineral density [BMD], there were significant associations between vitamin D and other factors related to bone health and metabolic diseases,” the authors wrote in their study.

Researchers retrospectively reviewed 1,209 patients who were at least 50 years old and were treated in the orthopedic department at a single center. Investigators noted patients’ serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels on the day of admission and at monthly follow-ups, and analyzed bone turnover markers and other laboratory markers associated with metabolic disease. BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck also were evaluated to analyze correlations between vitamin D and bone strength.

Results showed 91.2% of patients had either deficient or insufficient vitamin D levels, with a mean vitamin D level of 16.1 ng/mL. Mean 25(OH)D was not significantly different with regard to sex. Age groups were not significantly different with regard to 25(OH)D levels; however patients aged 80 years and older tended to have a lower mean vitamin D level.

Although bone turnover markers, calcium and markers correlated with metabolic disease were significantly associated with vitamin D levels, investigators found no such association between vitamin D levels and BMD. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.

Published by:

Sources/Disclosures

Collapse

Source:

Kim K, et al. Orthopedics. 2015; doi: 10.3928/01477447-20151002-57.