Prevalence of Low Vitamin D Levels in Patients With Orthopedic Trauma

Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2016 Nov/Dec;45(7):E522-E526.

Abstract

Low levels of serum vitamin D have been linked to numerous musculoskeletal and nonmusculoskeletal conditions. Vitamin D deficiency appears relatively high among various patient subpopulations, including patients with fracture nonunion. We conducted a retrospective study to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in a large population of patients with orthopedic trauma. The study included all patients who were over age 18 years, had no risk factors for vitamin D deficiency, and were treated for an acute fracture at a Level 1 trauma center. Between January 2009 and September 2010, 889 trauma patients had recorded serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Overall prevalence of combined vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was 77%; prevalence of vitamin D deficiency alone was 39%. There were no statistically significant (P < .05) age or sex differences among the population. There did not appear to be a seasonal difference. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in acute orthopedic trauma patients appear very common. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the clinical significance.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / blood
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D