Research Article

Vitamin D Deficiency as a Cause of Hip Fractures in the Elderly

Lambros Athanassiou¹, Panagiotis Athanassiou², Alexandros Pastroudis³, Alexandros Samolis⁴, Panagiotis Giavopoulos⁴, Ifigenia Kostoglou-Athanassiou⁵ and Georgios Troupis⁴

¹Department of Rheumatology, Ascelepion Hospital, Voula, Athens, Greece

²Department of Rheumatology, St. Paul’s Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

³6th Department of Orthopedics, Asclepeion Hospital, Voula, Athens, Greece

⁴Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece

⁵Department of Endocrinology, Asclepeion Hospital, Voula, Athens, Greece

Submission:June 29, 2021; Published: July 14, 2021

*Corresponding author: Dr. Panagiotis Athanassiou, Patriarchou Ioakim 3, Thessaloniki, GR54622, Greece

How to cite this article: Athanassiou L, Athanassiou P, Pastroudis A, Samolis A, Giavopoulos P, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency as a Cause of Hip Fractures in the Elderly. Ortho & Rheum Open Access J. 2021; 18(4): 555994. DOI: 10.19080/OROAJ.2021.18.555994

Abstract

Objectives: Vitamin D is a hormone which is instrumental for bone metabolism and bone health. It induces calcium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and contributes to bone health. Vitamin D deficiency leads to osteomalacia, however, if deficiency is severe it contributes to the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism and thus induces osteoporosis. The aim was to describe a cohort of patients hospitalized for hip fracture who were diagnosed with severe vitamin D deficiency.

Methods: A cohort of patients hospitalized for a hip fracture is described. Patients were elderly, age 84.1±1.42 years (range 75-93) and frail. Within this cohort 12 were male and 8 females. In this cohort 25(OH)D₃ levels were measured. Bone mineral density was also measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry either in the contralateral hip or in the lumbar spine. Observations were also performed in a control group matched for age and sex.

Results: In a cohort of elderly patients hospitalized for hip fracture 25(OH)D₃ levels were 9.26±0.54 ng/ml (mean+SEM) as compared to 27.78±2.15 ng/ml in the control group (p<0.001, Student’s t test). Bone mineral density as defined by T score was -3.09±0.09 in the cohort of elderly patients as opposed to -2.48±010 in the control group (p<0.001, Student’s t test).

Conclusion: Severe vitamin D deficiency was observed in a cohort of elderly patients hospitalized for hip fracture. Vitamin D deficiency is accompanied by osteomalacia. However, secondary hyperparathyroidism ensues and leads to increased bone resorption. Augmented bone resorption leads to osteoporosis which is a cause of fractures. Vitamin D deficiency affects muscle function, and it may lead to falls. In conclusion, severe vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the development of falls and subsequent hip fractures in elderly patients. Elderly patients, especially if homebound or residents in long-term facilities should be screened for vitamin D deficiency and supplemented with daily small or medium doses of vitamin D.

Keywords: Vitamin D; Hip fracture; Osteoporosis; Osteomalacia; Bone mineral density

Introduction

Vitamin D is a hormone which is involved in bone metabolism [1-3]. It induces calcium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and is instrumental for bone health, as it is involved in bone mineralization [4-6]. If vitamin D deficiency ensues osteomalacia evolves [5,7]. However, as vitamin D deficiency becomes severe and chronic, calcium levels decrease, and parathyroid hormone levels increase. Thus, severe vitamin D deficiency leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism. Secondary hyperparathyroidism leads to osteoporosis [8,9]. Osteoporosis may lead to fractures [8]. Hip fractures are a major factor of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population. The aim was to describe vitamin D levels in a group of elderly patients hospitalized for a hip fracture.

Methods

In a cohort of elderly patients hospitalized for a hip fracture 25(OH)D₃ levels and bone mineral density by dual energy X ray absorptiometry were determined. Observations were also performed in a control group of elderly patients matched for age and sex. 25(OH)D₃ was estimated by an electrochemiluminescence binding assay (Elecsys Vitamin D total, for cobas e 411 analyzer, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany). The assay was based on a competition principle. In summary, after a first incubation, so that the bound 25(OH)D could be released from the vitamin D binding protein, a second incubation was performed. During the second incubation the pretreated sample was incubated with a ruthenium labeled vitamin D binding protein. Thus, a complex was formed between 25(OH)D and the ruthenium labeled vitamin D binding protein, the ruthenylated vitamin D binding protein. Thereafter a third incubation was performed. During the third incubation streptavidin microparticles and vitamin D labeled with biotin were added and unbound ruthenium labeled vitamin D binding proteins became occupied. A complex consisting of the ruthenylated vitamin D binding protein and the biotinylated vitamin D was formed and it was bound to the solid phase of the assay via interaction of biotin and streptavidin. The reaction mixture was then aspirated into the cell where the microparticles were magnetically captured onto the surface of an electrode. Unbound substances were then removed. Application of a voltage to the electrode then induced a chemiluminescent emission which was detected by a photomultiplier. The sensitivity of the assay was 10.03 nmol/L. The within run CV of the assay ranged from 3.1% at 70.0 nmol/L to 7.8% at 16.9 ng/ml.

Results

In a cohort of elderly patients hospitalized for hip fracture 25(OH)D₃ levels were 9.26±0.54 ng/ml (mean+SEM) as compared to 27.78±2.15 ng/ml in the control group (p<0.001, Student’s t test) (Figure 1). Bone mineral density as defined by T score was -3.09±0.09 in the cohort of elderly patients as opposed to -2.48±010 in the control group (p<0.001, Student’s t test) (Figure 2).

Discussion

In a group of elderly patients hospitalized for a hip fracture very low levels of vitamin D were observed. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to fractures. In elderly individual’s vitamin D levels should be estimated, and vitamin D supplementation should be encouraged. Vitamin D is instrumental for bone metabolism and bone health. It induces bone mineralization and thus contributes to the optimum structure and function of the bone. Additionally, vitamin D affects the function of muscles [10-13]. Vitamin D deficiency adversely affects muscle function and may lead to falls¹¹. Falls are a major factor leading to fractures [14,15]. Falls are responsible for at least 80% of fractures in the elderly. Fractures are a major factor for morbidity and mortality in the elderly [16].

The main effect of the active vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH)₂D₃ is to stimulate the absorption of calcium from the gut. The consequences of vitamin D deficiency are secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone loss, leading to osteoporosis and fractures, mineralization defects, which may lead to osteomalacia in the long term, and muscle weakness, causing falls and fractures. As vitamin D deficiency leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism, it may lead to increased bone resorption, low bone mineral density and osteoporosis. Decreased vitamin D levels are associated with increased bone turnover and decreased bone mineral density. Vitamin D supplementation may decrease bone turnover and increase bone mineral density. Several randomized placebo-controlled trials with vitamin D and calcium showed decreased fracture incidence. When patients with osteoporosis are treated with an antiosteoporotic agent, they should receive a vitamin D and calcium supplement.

Elderly individuals, especially those who are homebound or those who are dwelling in long-term care facilities should be screened for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is produced within the skin from 7-dehydrocholesterol under the influence of ultraviolet irradiation. Therefore, homebound people, who are not exposed to the sun may have very low levels of vitamin D within their blood. In elderly individuals the most important problem is the prevention of falls and fractures [14,17,18], as falls may lead to loss of independence or death. Vitamin D deficiency is observed in a large part of the population of elderly people, especially women, who live in moderate climate countries, due to a reduced amount of vitamin D in the diet, as small fish are not readily available for consumption and reduced content of 7-dehydrocholesterol, which causes decreased skin synthesis. Seasonality may also affect 25(OH)D₃ concentration, lowest levels observed during the winter and spring [19-25]. Lack of sun exposure affects more women than men. Various environmental factors increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly. These are poor environmental conditions, low economic status, low educational level, smoking, reduced physical activity and poor overall health. The presence of gastrointestinal diseases may also contribute to vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption. The presence of renal disease also affects vitamin D status as it affects the hydroxylation of vitamin D and the production of active metabolites.

Vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of falls in the elderly has been discussed in the literature [11,26-30]. It was shown that vitamin D supplementation should be performed with daily small or medium doses of vitamin D as these doses have been shown to decrease falls [27].

Conclusion

In conclusion, it was shown that in elderly patients with hip fractures low 25(OH)D₃ levels are prevalent. Low vitamin D levels in these patients may contribute to increased bone resorption due to secondary hyperparathyroidism and consequently osteoporosis, poor muscle function, falls and fractures. Therefore, screening for vitamin D deficiency should be performed in elderly individuals, especially if they are homebound or residents in long-term care facilities. Vitamin D supplementation should be performed with daily small or medium doses of vitamin D as these doses have been shown to decrease falls and fractures.

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