Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients Admitted With Recent Fragility Hip Fracture: A Single-Center...

Hip fractures are the most common low‑energy injury affecting older adults and place a large burden on healthcare systems. Vitamin D sufficiency is fundamental to healthy bone turnover, maintenance of muscular strength, and immune system homeostasis. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among patients admitted with recent fragility hip fractures at a single orthopedic clinic over one year. This retrospective study included patients aged >50 years admitted to the General Hospital of Athens "KAT" with fragility hip fractures during 12 months. Preoperative assessment included quantification of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Patients with bilateral hip fractures, chronic diseases affecting bone, polytrauma, and high‑energy trauma were excluded. Vitamin D status was categorized as deficiency <10 ng/mL, insufficiency 10-20 ng/mL, sufficiency >20 ng/mL. Of 186 patients presenting with hip fractures, 129 met the inclusion criteria (mean age 81.7 years; 72.9% female). Intertrochanteric fractures comprised 84 (65.1%). Deficiency of vitamin D was found in 72 (55.8%), insufficiency in 40 (31%), and sufficiency in 17 (13.2%). No statistically significant difference was observed between the sexes. Our data indicate a markedly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in older patients presenting with hip fractures. Consequently, we recommend introducing screening and prevention strategies.