title: Vitamin D insufficiency in the elderly orthopaedic patient: an epidemic phenomenon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate serum levels of 25-OH-D of elderly patients presenting with orthopaedic illness. Furthermore, we enquired about potential confounders and risk factors of hypovitaminosis D in comorbidities and daily medication of the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vitamin D levels in 1,083 patients aged >70 years and admitted to an orthopaedic surgery department were measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess risk factors for insufficient vitamin D levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 86 % of patients had insufficient serum levels of 25-OH-D and >60 % were vitamin D deficient. Serum vitamin D levels were lower during winter and months with fewer sunshine hours. Patients presenting with obesity, hypertension and osteoporosis were more likely to have low vitamin D levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in elderly, nonhospitalized orthopaedic patients. Given the well-known effects of vitamin D on bone metabolism and muscle health, as well as its nonskeletal effects, vitamin D insufficiency may have a negative impact.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany, gerrit.s.maier@gmx.de.
authors.forename: Gerrit Steffen
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Konstantin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horas
authors.forename: Jörn Bengt
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Seeger
authors.forename: Klaus Edgar
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Andreas Alois
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kurth
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Maus
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000172:deficiency; D015897:Comorbidity; D058872:Epidemics; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013472:Sunlight; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D002112:Calcifediol