Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Relationship between serum vitamin D and hip fracture in the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Shahrzad Habibi Ghahfarrokhi1,2, Abdollah Mohammadian-Hafshejani2,3, Catherine M T Sherwin4,5
1Department of Social Medicine, Modeling in Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahrekord, Iran.
Introduction:
This study investigated the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and the occurrence of hip fractures in the elderly using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach.
Materials And Methods:
PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were used to identify studies that outlined an association between serum 25OHD and the occurrence of a hip fracture in a geriatric patient. The analysis calculated odds ratios (OR) for a hip fracture using a random-effects model.
Results:
In this study, 28 studies were included, 61,744 elderlies and 9767 cases (15.81%) of hip fractures. In the lowest vs. highest categories of vitamin D in the elderly, pooled OR of hip fractures was 1.80 (95% CI 1.56-2.07, P ≤ 0.001), and modified OR was equal to 1.40 (95% CI 1.20-1.63 P ≤ 0.001). A subgroup analysis showed that the OR of a hip fracture was 2.16 (1.49-3.11, P ≤ 0.001) in case-control studies; 1.52 (1.29-1.79, P = 0.001) in cohort studies; and 1.41 (1.18-1.70, P ≤ 0.001) in case-cohort studies.
Conclusion:
Low serum vitamin D levels in the elderly are associated with an increase in the odds of hip fracture.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Connective Tissue Cell Types
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Essential Minerals for Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...

