Vitamin D deficiency in proximal femur fracture patients of South-East Queensland

Abstract

To determine the incidence of hypovitaminosis D in proximal femur fracture (PFF) patients and investigate whether sociodemographic factors or radiographic parameters are associated with vitamin D levels. This is a consecutive case series of South-East Queensland patients presenting with low-energy PFFs. Vitamin D levels and sociodemographic factors (age, sex, postcode, medications and type of residence) were collected from medical records. Radiographic parameters included PFF type and cortical thickness of the femur. A total of 313 patients were included (mean age = 79.5 years), and 105 (34%) were deficient in vitamin D (<50 nmol/L). There was no association between vitamin D levels and sociodemographic factors or radiographic parameters. Eighty-four (84%) of vitamin D-deficient patients were not taking vitamin D supplements. Social and demographic factors are not correlated with vitamin D levels in this cohort. Routine vitamin D supplementation may be indicated in ageing patients although it is not always protective of low-energy fractures.