Low Vitamin D = Increased Risk of Hip Fracture

New Delhi researchers show that vitamin D levels may be a useful index for the assessment of hip fracture risk in elderly people.

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

A group of 90 hip fracture patients was compared to a matched control group of similar age, sex and co-morbidity. Of the patients who had suffered hip fractures, 76.7% were shown to be vitamin D deficient as measured by serum 25(OH)D levels of less than 20 ng/ml. In addition, 68.9% had elevated PTH levels. In comparison, only 32.3% of the controls had vitamin D deficiency and 42.2% had elevated PTH levels (secondary hyperparathyroidism).

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and is increasingly thought to play a role in muscle strength, certain cancers, multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Vitamin D levels are very low in the Indian population in all age groups, and could be explained by skin pigmentation, traditional clothing and the avoidance of sunlight.

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