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High incidence of low serum vitamin D concentration in patients with hip fracture

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Summary

The study of 82 consecutive hip fracture patients (22 males and 60 females) and 185 various controls showed that low serum 25-OH-vitamin D3 (25-OD-D3) concentration was common in the hip fracture patients, who in addition were old, incapable of independent daily life, had poor dietary habits, reduced nutritional status, and spent insufficient time in sunlight. The most usual mechanisms of trauma were minor indoor falls. Osteoporosis was common and associated with low 25-OH-D3. Hypocalcemia was more common in hip fracture patients than in controls. Increased serum alkaline phosphatase was not a specific feature in hip fracture patients. The results suggest that vitamin D supplementation is indicated in elderly disabled people.

Zusammenfassung

Die Untersuchung einer geschlossenen Serie von 82 Patienten mit Huftfrakturen (22 männlich, 60 weiblich) und von 185 verschiedenen Kontrollfällen haben gezeigt, daß bei Patienten mit Hüftfrakturen häufig eine niedrige Serum-Konzentration von 25-OH-Vitamin D3 (25-OH-D3) bestand. Zusätzlich bestanden bei diesen Patienten ein hohes Lebensalter, Pflegebedürftigkeit, mangelhafte Ernährungsgewohnheiten, ein reduzierter Ernährungszustand und sie waren dem Sonnenlicht ungeniigend ausgesetzt. Den häufigsten Unfallmechanismus stellten leichtere Sturze in der Wohnung dar. Häufig bestand eine Osteoporose in Verbindung mit einem niedrigen 25-OH-D3-Spiegel. Eine Hypokalzamie war bei den Patienten mit Hüftfrakturen häufiger als bei den Kontrollfällen, während die Konzentration der alkalischen Phosphatase nicht ein spezifisches Verhalten zeigte. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse legen bei älteren behinderten Menschen nahe, eine Vitamin D-Zufuhr durchzuführen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Surgery, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    E. Harju M.D. & J. Puranent

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    E. Sotaniemi

  3. Department of Radiology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    R. Lahti

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  1. E. Harju M.D.
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  2. E. Sotaniemi
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  3. J. Puranent
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  4. R. Lahti
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Harju, E., Sotaniemi, E., Puranent, J. et al. High incidence of low serum vitamin D concentration in patients with hip fracture. Arch. Orth. Traum. Surg. 103, 408–416 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00435450

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00435450

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