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Published on: May 4, 2018
Vitamin D insufficiency in the elderly orthopaedic patient: an epidemic phenomenon
Gerrit Steffen Maier1, Konstantin Horas, Jörn Bengt Seeger
1Department of Trauma Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany, gerrit.s.maier@gmx.de.
Purpose:
The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate serum levels of 25-OH-D of elderly patients presenting with orthopaedic illness. Furthermore, we enquired about potential confounders and risk factors of hypovitaminosis D in comorbidities and daily medication of the elderly.
Methods:
Vitamin D levels in 1,083 patients aged >70 years and admitted to an orthopaedic surgery department were measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess risk factors for insufficient vitamin D levels.
Results:
Overall, 86 % of patients had insufficient serum levels of 25-OH-D and >60 % were vitamin D deficient. Serum vitamin D levels were lower during winter and months with fewer sunshine hours. Patients presenting with obesity, hypertension and osteoporosis were more likely to have low vitamin D levels.
Conclusions:
We found a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in elderly, nonhospitalized orthopaedic patients. Given the well-known effects of vitamin D on bone metabolism and muscle health, as well as its nonskeletal effects, vitamin D insufficiency may have a negative impact.
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