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Three-quarters of hip fracture patients are vitamin D deficient, Indian study reveals

Date:
December 13, 2010
Source:
International Osteoporosis Foundation
Summary:
A study from 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.
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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.

The results of the New Delhi study confirm that serum 25 (OH)D levels may be a useful index for the assessment of risk of hip fracture in elderly people.

The study (OC13) was presented at the IOF Regionals -- 1st Asia-Pacific Regional Osteoporosis Meeting being held in Singapore from December 10-13, 2010.

Abstracts from the meeting have been published in Osteoporosis International, Vol. 21, Suppl. 5, 2010.


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Materials provided by International Osteoporosis Foundation. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

International Osteoporosis Foundation. "Three-quarters of hip fracture patients are vitamin D deficient, Indian study reveals." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 December 2010. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101213101810.htm>.
International Osteoporosis Foundation. (2010, December 13). Three-quarters of hip fracture patients are vitamin D deficient, Indian study reveals. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101213101810.htm
International Osteoporosis Foundation. "Three-quarters of hip fracture patients are vitamin D deficient, Indian study reveals." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101213101810.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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