Markedly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in older patients presenting with hip fractures: study

Written By : Dr Supreeth D R Published On 2026-01-30T20:00:04+05:30 | Updated On 30 Jan 2026 8:00 PM IST

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.

Mousa C et al conducted a study 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.

The key findings of the study were:

• 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.

The authors commented – “We found a markedly high prevalence of low 25(OH)D at admission among older adults with recent fragility hip fractures treated at our center over one year, across sexes, age groups, and fracture types-indicating a modifiable gap in routine care and a broader public-health concern. We, therefore, recommend routine preoperative 25(OH)D screening within 24 hours of admission, prompt guideline-concordant supplementation for deficiency/insufficiency, and integration with fracture liaison services to align vitamin D correction with osteoporosis treatment and fall-prevention. Programs should also track implementation metrics (e.g., proportion screened and treated before discharge, early adherence).

At the population level, targeted measures aligned with national guidance to improve vitamin D status in older adults are warranted. Multicenter prospective studies and randomized trials should evaluate whether rapid correction around the time of fracture improves short-term outcomes (complications, length of stay, early mortality) and long-term endpoints (refracture, functional independence), while clarifying doseresponse, adherence, seasonal effects, comorbidity interactions, and potential genetic modifiers (e.g., VDR variants) to identify who benefits most and to support pragmatic, scalable protocols.”

MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS

Dr Supreeth D R (MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS) is a practicing orthopedician with interest in medical research and publishing articles. He completed MBBS from mysore medical college, dip ortho from Trivandrum medical college and sec. DNB from Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru. He has expirence of 7years in the field of orthopedics. He has presented scientific papers & posters in various state, national and international conferences. His interest in writing articles lead the way to join medical dialogues. He can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.