Vitamin D Insufficiency Under-Detected Prior to Wrist Fractures.

A significant number of patients with distal radius (wrist) fractures had shown signs of having osteoporosis prior to their fractures, but they did not receive this diagnosis or treatment for it, a recent study revealed.*

The study evaluated 102 people, 46-91 years of age, who underwent surgery for distal radius fracture.

Blood levels of vitamin D were used to help determine whether there was an indication for prior osteoporosis diagnosis. In addition, a questionnaire was completed for a guideline-based osteoporosis diagnosis. Fracture risk was assessed separately by the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool[R], which includes factors such as age, sex, weight, height, medical history, and bone mineral density.

The results showed monthly levels of vitamin D over the course of a year averaged only 23 ng/mL, which are significantly below recommend levels. Despite indications for an osteoporosis diagnosis prior to the fracture in three-quarters of the patients, less than half received one. The fracture risk assessment tool showed that 57% of the patients had indications for receiving specific osteoporosis treatment before the fracture incident.

Editor's Note: These study results highlight the importance of evaluating osteoporosis and fracture risk in aging people, which should include routine monitoring of vitamin D levels. Life Extension[R] suggests that optimal levels of vitamin D are between 50-80 ng/mL.

* Arch Orthop Trauma Surg (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-024-05199-4.