Bone mineral content of transilial biopsies in patients with hip fracture

In a survey of 125 patients with hip fracture vitamin D deficiency was frequently observed, but overt osteomalacia was not found in the bone biopsies (Lips et al., 1982). In order to detect a possible hypomineralization in these vitamin D-deficient patients, we measured the bone mineral content in 64 transilial biopsies, embedded in methylmethacrylate for histomorphometric evaluation. The results were compared with those of 18 bone samples obtained at autopsy from subjects who did not suffer from metabolic bone disease. The calcium:hydroxyproline ratio, the phosphorus:hydroxyproline ratio, and the calcium:phosphorus ratio were similar in the two groups. The magnesium:hydroxyproline ratio was higher in the hip fracture group than in the controls. The ratios did not correlate with serum concentrations of the vitamin D metabolites. The results are not consistent with a decreased bone mineralization in patients with hip fracture.