Vitamin D Deficiency "Almost Universal" in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients

Researchers in Scotland report in the September 2005 issue of Current Medical Research and Opinion an "almost universal vitamin D inadequacy" in 548 elderly patients admitted to the hospital for hip fracture. Data was gathered over a four-year period at South Glascow University Hospital, and showed that 97.8 percent of hip fracture patients had low serum vitamin D, one-fourth being so low as to be undetectable. The lead author, Dr. Stephen Gallacher, stated that doctors "should do all they can to encourage their osteoporotic patients to adhere to their vitamin D supplementation." Vitamin D is necessary for calcium regulation and deposition in bone, and vitamin D deficiency is a well-known risk factor for osteoporosis.

Gallacher SJ, McQuillian C. Harkness M, et al. Prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in Scotish adults with non-vertebral fragility fractures. Curr Med Res Opin 2005;21(9):1355-1362.

ARTICLES:
Grant W, Holick W. Benefits and requirements of vitamin D for optimal health: a review. Altern Med Rev 2005;10(2):94-111.