[Comparative study of dietary intake and nutritional status in elderly women with and without hip fracture]

To compare the nutritional status and dietary intake of elderly women admitted with hip fracture (HF) versus a control group without fracture and without known abnormalities of bone mineral density.

Descriptive and observational study.

Hospital Neurotraumatológico in Jaen (Spain) and three urban Primary Health Care centers in Jaen city (San Felipe, Virgen de la Capilla and El Valle).

A total of 44 women with HF, which was considered osteoporotic, and a control group composed of 42 women with a similar age range, selected randomly from the medical outpatients who visit their Primary Health Care centers.

We record sociodemographic data. Dietary intake before the fracture and anthropometric variables in the first 72hours after admission were assessed.

Patients with HF had lower weight (67.2±10.1kg versus 72.0±10.1kg, P<.05), BMI (27.6±3.7kg/m(2) versus 31.3±4.6kg/m(2), P<.001), as well as lower arm and leg circumferences than the control patients. A significantly higher intake, in terms of macronutrients and energy consumption, was detected in the control group, as well as lower than recommended intake of calcium and vitamin D in both groups, which was more marked in patients with HF. Logistic regression found that the HF was associated with a lower BMI as well as lower intakes of protein, carbohydrates and calcium.

Adequate nutritional status and adequate intake of essential macro- and micronutrients seem to prevent osteoporotic HF.