Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D and osteopenia are prevalent in persons > or =55 yr with fracture at any site: a prospective, observational study of persons fracturing in the community.
Ethnic diversity and lower socioeconomic populations are poorly captured in most studies of osteoporosis and fracture risk. This article describes a prospective, observational study designed to analyze risk factors for fracture in an ambulatory, ethnically diverse, urban population aged > or =55 yr. The goal of the study was to determine the number of fractures associated with hypovitaminosis D (< or =15 ng/mL serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D) and osteopenia (T-score <-1.5) by bone mineral density (BMD). From January 1 to July 31, 2001, we identified 262 persons who fractured in our community; 83 chose to enroll in the study. Enrolled patients had a BMD examination at two sites; their blood was drawn for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25VitD), calcium, phosphorus, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase. At the completion of the study a letter was sent to the patients detailing the findings, and a copy sent to their physician. Of the 83 persons enrolled, 73 (88%) had evidence of osteopenia or osteoporosis (T-score <-1.5) and/or low 25VitD. All fractures in the community in person > or =55 yr, with or without a history of antecedent trauma, should be assessed with BMD and screening for 25VitD.
Seton
Margaret
M
Rheumatology, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Margaret_seton@hms.harvard.edu
Jackson
Vicki
V
Lasser
Karen E
KE
Doppelt
Samuel
S
Pierre-Jacques
Marsha
M
Connelly
Maureen
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D