Abstract
Hospitalists are at risk for vitamin D deficiency during their active years due to indoor working conditions and insufficient sunlight exposure. The impairment of bone mineral density (BMD) in this group has not been studied. A total of 50 male hospitalists aged ≥ 65 years were enrolled. Their BMD was measured at the femoral neck (FN), lumbar spine (LS), and distal radius (DR), and their medical history and risk factors were assessed through a detailed questionnaire. The FRAX® (Fracture risk assessment tool) score was calculated for each participant. The mean age was 71 ±5.3 years. They worked as hospital physicians for a mean duration of 38.8 ±6.9 years. According to the BMD measurement, 15 (30%) had osteoporosis, and 29 (58%) had osteopenia. We also analyzed bone density excluding DR, since the clinical significance of low bone density of DR alone is debatable. In this analysis, 7 doctors (14%) had osteoporosis, and 33 (66%) had osteopenia. According to AACE/ACE 2016 guidelines, 48% of the participants would require specific treatment for fracture prevention. However, using only FN and LS BMD, 40% would require treatment. Hospitalists were found to have a high prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia, and 40% required specific treatment according to international guidelines.
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