Correlation of serum vitamin d and bone mineral density in males more than 50 yrs with hip fractures

Introduction: Bone strength is related to bone mineral density (BMD) as well as other properties of bone that are often termed bone quality .BMD correlates highly with fracture risk and allows the clinician to determine the need for pharmacological intervention. Vitamin D is vital for bone health because it assists in the absorption and utilization of calcium. There are various studies in elderly females with hip fractures correlating the Vitamin D levels with BMD. But very few studies have evaluated the serum Vitamin D levels and BMD in males more than 50 years. Materials and Methods: Present study was conducted in the JIPMER Pondicherry between August 2012 and August 2013. A total of 41 male patients aged more than 50 years with fracture neck of femur and Intertrochanteric fracture were included. Blood samples were taken stored, processed and evaluated for vitamin D total (D2 and D3).BMD measurements were done in B/L hip region. The Values of Vitamin D obtained are shown into three groups as 0-20ng/ml-deficiency, 20-30ng/ml as insufficiency and>30ng/ml as normal Reference. BMD reference values were taken as T score <2.5 is osteoporosis. Results: On analysis of Vitamin D we found that out of total 41 patients 9(22%) had vitamin D level <20ng /ml, 15(36%) had levels between20ng-30ng/ml and 17 (41%) had >30ng/ml. Of the 21 patients with Neck of femur fractures Vitamin D<20ng/ml are6(28.6%),20-30ng/ml are 9 (42.9) and >30ng/ml are 6(35.3).Vitamin D levels in 20 intertrochanteric fractures are<20ng/ml in 3(15%), 20-30ng/ml in 6(35%) and >30ng/ml in 11(55%). Conclusion: We found 24 patients (58%) have vitamin D level <30ng/ml, more in patients with neck femur fracture than intertrochanteric fractures. Present study found that there is no statistically significant correlation between the vitamin D level and BMD in Hip fractures in elderly males (p=0.489).