Fracture risks for women in long-term care: high prevalence of calcaneal osteoporosis and hypovitaminosis D.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of osteoporosis as assessed by peripheral bone mineral density (BMD) in women living in a nursing home, to determine how many women with low BMD had received a diagnosis of osteoporosis, to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, and to seek reasons for vitamin D deficiency.


METHODS
Measurement of calcaneal BMD and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D.


METHODS
Skilled nursing facility.


METHODS
Forty-nine women aged 68-100 years.


RESULTS
Bilateral calcaneal BMD was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D by radioimmunoassay. Medical records were reviewed to assess osteoporosis risk factors, previous documentation of osteoporosis or malabsorption, and supplemental vitamin D intake. Fifty-nine percent of the 39 women with calcaneal BMD measurements (95% confidence interval [CI] 44-74%) exhibited calcaneal osteoporosis (T score < -2.5). Sixty percent (95% CI 46-74%) had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of 20 ng/ml or less, which is associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism; only 4% of women had levels above 30 ng/ml, recently recommended as optimal. Vitamin D status was suboptimal even in most women taking multivitamins. Osteoporosis was documented in the records of 17% of 23 women with calcaneal osteoporosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Osteoporosis was prevalent but poorly documented in women living in the nursing home. Peripheral BMD measurements have the potential to improve the recognition and management of osteoporosis in women in long-term care facilities. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, even in those taking multivitamins, indicates that practical new approaches for vitamin D repletion in this population are urgently needed.
Elliott
Mary E
ME
School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53705, USA. meelliott@pharmacy.wisc.edu
Binkley
Neil C
NC
Carnes
Molly
M
Zimmerman
David R
DR
Petersen
Kim
K
Knapp
Kathy
K
Behlke
Jessica M
JM
Ahmann
Nancy
N
Kieser
Mara A
MA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000097:blood; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium