Abstract :
Introduction: One of the most common morbidities that is associated with the elderly is the fragility fractures. The common areas where the fragility fractures occur are pelvis, forearm and ribs in the elderly especially the persons aged more than 65 years. Of the various lines of treatments available for osteoporosis, one of the primary managements are Calcium and Vitamin D. This study was done therefore to assess the levels of vitamin D among the elderly with fragility fractures.
Materials and Methods: 76 patients over the age of 60 years, who had been admitted in our hospital due to fragility fractures, who were were mobile, either independently or with help such as stick, walking frame or wheel chair were included into the study. The Vitamin D3 levels were classified as sufficient, insufficient and deficient based on Pearce et al classification. Statistical analysis using graphs and tables and fisher’s test was done.
Results: Out of 76 patients, 27.6% were males and 72.4% were females and the mean age was 75.9 4.6. Majority of the patients with fractures (47.4%) were either walking with 2 sticks or with a walking frame at the time of their fall. 56.6% of the patients had insufficient Vitamin D levels in their blood stream, 23.7% had deficient levels (75 nmol/lit).
Conclusion: Most of the patients were either had insufficient or deficient Vitamin D level at the time of their fall. Therefore, it is imperative to keep a watch on the vitamin D levels and supplement calcium and vitamin D in medications so that the risk of fall is reduced.
Keyword :
Calcium, Vitamin D, Fragility fractures elderly.