Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Low Serum Vitamin D and Hip Fracture Risk

A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that low vitamin D levels in the blood are associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in postmenopausal women. The study included 800 individuals (400 who had hip fractures, matched with 400 women who did not have hip fractures). Hip fracture risk was highest among women who had the lowest levels of vitamin D in their serum.

As we know, there is an association between low vitamin D levels and obesity. Also, after bariatric surgery, there is a possibility of developing low serum levels if supplementation is not taken regularly. Those were discussed before here and here.

Reference:

Cauley JA, LaCroix AZ, Wu L, Horwitz M, Danielson ME, Bauer DC, Lee JS, Jackson RD, Robbins JA, Wu C, Stanczyk FZ, LeBoff MS, Wactawski-Wende J, Sarto G, Ockene J, Cummings SR. Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Risk for Hip Fractures. Ann Intern Med. 2008 August;149:242-250. (Summary for Patients, Abstract)