Objective
To investigate the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in an elderly patients with hip fracture.
Methods
A prospective study was carried out for 2 years (January 2008 - December 2009). Patient records were
searched for hip fracture admission and cross matched with serum vitamin D levels and bone densitometry carried
out within 3 days of the hip fracture admission.
Results
There were data for 115 hip fracture patient, 69% of the patients were women (n = 79). The mean age at the
time of fracture was 76.1 years. The mean of bone densitometry was -2.8 ± 0.8. About 40% of the patients had a
bone mineral density (BMD) below -3.0. The mean vitamin D (25-OH) level was 20.9 ± 10 ng/mL. Over 80% of
patients had a vitamin D level below 30 ng/mL. Especially, patients (n = 17) admitted from assisted nursing home
had less a vitamin D level (16.3 ng/mL) than patients admitted from home (22.9 ng/mL). There were no significant
differences by age or sex however, there was seasonal differences in vitamin D.
Conclusion
This study reveals universal vitamin D inadequacy in hip fracture patients.
