Prevalence and severity of Vitamin D deficiency in patients presenting with fractures following trivial trauma in a teaching hospital of rural India

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin D insufficiency, even in its milder form, is associated with an increased risk of fracture through negative calcium balance. Clinical studies have indicated that intervention with vitamin D supplementation reduced the incidence of falling in elderly subjects. Vitamin D insufficiency is common worldwide irrespective of latitude of countries.Objective: In current study we intended to find prevalence and severity of vitamin D deficiency in patients, who presented with various type of fractures sustained following trivial trauma.Results: One hundred and four patients who suffered low velocity trauma, presented with various fractures were studied. Fractures around the hip were commonest (39.42 %), followed by Colles (24.03%) and vertebral fractures (17.30 %).Serum vitamin D levels of the patients showed 65.38% were having deficient levels, whereas 18.26 % were having insufficient levels.Conclusion: Our study indicates very high incidence of vitamin D deficiency among patients who suffered fractures following trivial trauma. The high incidence of fractures in elderly population with vitamin D deficiency probably is partly because of altered bone mass and strength, and partly because of poor muscular control because of pain and muscle weakness.