Vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis in rehabilitation inpatients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine vitamin D status and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients admitted to a subacute rehabilitation facility.


METHODS
Cross-sectional cohort study.


METHODS
Subacute rehabilitation facility.


METHODS
Fifty-three community-dwelling patients admitted from June through February 2005.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
BMD, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), C-telopeptide (CTX), osteocalcin, and dietary milk intake.


RESULTS
Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D <20 ng/mL) was 49.1%, while a total of 83% of patients were either vitamin D deficient or insufficient (25[OH]D <30 ng/mL). The prevalence of osteopenia (T score, <-1) was 52.8%; osteoporosis (T score, <-2.5) was 17.0%. CTX (bone resorption marker) was elevated in 60.4% of patients. Osteocalcin (bone formation marker) was elevated in 13.2% of patients. Measurements of bone resorption and formation positively correlated (R2 = .22) indicating increased bone remodeling.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D deficiency and osteopenia and osteoporosis were highly prevalent in patients admitted for rehabilitation. Elevated bone resorption and remodeling were evident. This could be due to vitamin D deficiency that should be corrected before antiresorptive therapy is considered. The study emphasizes the need for vigilance for vitamin D status and BMD testing in patients admitted to rehabilitation facilities.
Shinchuk
Leonid M
LM
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Morse
Leslie
L
Huancahuari
Nadia
N
Arum
Seth
S
Chen
Tai C
TC
Holick
Michael F
MF
D015519:Bone Density; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000453:epidemiology; D001862:Bone Resorption; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*