Colecalciferol Initiation Post Minimal Trauma Fracture.

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Minimal trauma fractures in patients aged 50+ are a significant health concern.
• Adequate vitamin D (colecalciferol) levels are crucial for bone health and fracture prevention.
• Current supplementation practices for these fractures require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine colecalciferol supplementation rates at discharge for patients aged 50+ with minimal trauma hip or vertebral fractures.
• To describe the prescribed colecalciferol doses.
• To identify factors influencing supplementation initiation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective audit of electronic medical records.
• Inclusion criteria: patients aged 50+ admitted with hip or vertebral minimal trauma fractures between Jan 1, 2016, and June 30, 2016.
• Data collected included admission supplementation status, serum colecalciferol levels, and discharge supplementation.

Main Results:

• 64 patients were included in the analysis.
• 38 patients (59.4%) were not on supplementation at admission.
• 21 patients (55.2%) were initiated on colecalciferol during their admission.
• Patients with measured serum colecalciferol levels were more likely to be initiated on therapy (68.4% had levels measured).

Conclusions:

• More than half of eligible patients received colecalciferol, but a significant proportion did not.
• Measuring serum colecalciferol levels during admission increases the likelihood of initiating therapy.
• There is a need for improved strategies to address the treatment gap and reduce subsequent fracture risk.