An initial loading-dose vitamin D versus placebo after hip fracture surgery: randomized trial

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2016 Aug 11:17:336. doi: 10.1186/s12891-016-1174-9.

Abstract

Background: Improving vitamin D (25-OHD) status may be an important modifiable factor that could reduce disability severity, fall-rates and mortality associated after hip fracture surgery. Providing a loading-dose post-surgery may overcome limitations in adherence to daily supplementation.

Method: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 218 adults, aged 65-years or older, requiring hip fracture surgery were assigned to receive a single loading-dose of cholecalciferol (250,000 IU vitamin-D3, the REVITAHIP - Replenishment of Vitamin D in Hip Fracture strategy) or placebo, both receiving daily vitamin-D(800 IU) and calcium (500 mg) for 26-weeks. Outcome measures were 2.4 m gait-velocity, falls, fractures, death (Week-4), 25-OHD levels, quality-of-life measure (EuroQoL) and mortality at weeks-2, 4 and 26.

Results: Mean age of 218 participants was 83.9(7.2) years and 77.1 % were women. Baseline mean 25-OHD was 52.7(23.5)nmol/L, with higher levels at Week-2 (73 vs 66 nmol/L; p = .019) and Week-4 (83 vs 75 nmol/L; p = .030) in the Active-group, but not at Week-26. At week-4, there were no differences in 2.4 m gait-velocity (0.42 m/s vs 0.39 m/s, p = .490), fractures (2.7 % vs 2.8 %, p = .964) but Active participants reported less falls (6.3 % vs 21.1 %, χ(2) = 4.327; p = 0.024), with no significant reduction in deaths at week-4 (1 vs 3, p = 0.295), higher percentage reporting 'no pain or discomfort' (96.4 % vs 88.8 %, p = 0.037), and trended for higher EuroQoL-scores (p = 0.092) at week-26. One case of hypercalcemia at week-2 normalised by week-4.

Conclusion: Among older people after hip fracture surgery, the REVITAHIP strategy is a safe and low cost method of improving vitamin-D levels, reducing falls and pain levels.

Trial registration: The protocol for this study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ANZCTRN ACTRN12610000392066 (Date of registration: 14/05/2010).

Keywords: Falls; Hip fracture; Randomized controlled trial; Rehabilitation; Vitamin D.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Calcium / administration & dosage
  • Calcium / blood
  • Cholecalciferol / administration & dosage*
  • Cholecalciferol / adverse effects
  • Cholecalciferol / therapeutic use*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Hip Fractures / drug therapy*
  • Hip Fractures / epidemiology
  • Hip Fractures / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / blood
  • Hypercalcemia / chemically induced
  • Male
  • New Zealand / epidemiology
  • Quality of Life
  • Survival Rate
  • Walking Speed

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Cholecalciferol
  • Calcium

Associated data

  • ANZCTR/ACTRN12610000392066