Vitamin D status among patients with fractured neck of femur in Hong Kong

Vitamin D deficiency leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism initially and then to mild osteomalacia, both of which conditions may be aymptomatic and may predispose to bone fracture. To assess the importance of vitamin D deficiency in predisposing to fractured neck of femur, we studied the vitamin D status, dietary intake and socio-economic characteristics in 69 patients with fractured neck of femur (group A), 28 normal subjects with age above 60 (group B), and 101 normal volunteers (group C). Patients with fractured neck of femor had significantly lower levels of serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol compared with subjects of groups B and C. There is no statistically significant difference in other biochemical parameters, including calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase. Patients with fractured neck of femur and with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol below 20 ng/mL were characterized by a home-bound and/or institutionalized life-style, smaller living place, and limited access to open space. To conclude, hypovitaminosis D is a common problem among elderly patients with fractured neck of femur in Hong Kong. The fact that such vitamin D deficiency is associated with muscle weakness may contribute to falls, and thus indirectly account for an increased rate of hip fractures over the normal control.