Vitamin D levels in patients with hip fracture

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with hip fracture and analyze the relationship between serum levels of 25(OH)D and age, Charlson index, fracture type, season and serum parathormone. An analytical, observational study involving patients 50 years belonging to Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires hospitalized for hip fracture was performed. Only patients with determination of 25(OH)D were included (n=519). More than half of fractured patients (51.9%) had previous consumption of vitamin D. The mean level of 25(OH)D was 20.370.59 ng/ml; 81% of patients had levels <30 ng/ml. Men (n=80) had lower values of 25(OH)D (18.46±1.33 ng/ml). Older patients and those not supplemented with vitamin D also showed significantly lower levels. No significant differences in the levels of 25(OH)D were found in patients with different type of fractures (medial or lateral) and there was no association with the Charlson index. More hip fracture were observed in Winter-Spring (n=306; 59%) compared with Summer-Autumn (n=213; 41%), without seasonal variation in 25(OH)D serum values. The group with 25(OH)D deficiency (<10 ng/ml) was older, and fewer patients had received vitamin D previously (32.8% vs 68.9 in the group with optimum levels. HF happened more often in Winter-Spring, without seasonal changes in the levels of 25(OH)D. We consider that treating hypovitaminosis D is important in the prevention of falls and fractures in the elderly.