Vitamin D Levels and Fracture Risk in Older Men
Author Information
Author(s): Cauley Jane A, Parimi Neeta, Ensrud Kristine E, Bauer Douglas C, Cawthon Peggy M, Cummings Steven R, Hoffman Andrew R, Shikany James M, Barrett-Connor Elizabeth, Orwoll Eric
Primary Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Hypothesis
Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of fracture.
Conclusion
Low serum 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with a higher risk of hip fracture in older men.
Supporting Evidence
- Men with the lowest total 25(OH)D levels had a greater than twofold increased risk of hip fracture compared to those with the highest levels.
- Low serum 25(OH)D concentrations were linked to lower bone mineral density.
- Vitamin D levels were unrelated to nonspine fractures.
Takeaway
This study found that older men with low vitamin D levels are more likely to break their hips. It's important to check vitamin D levels to help keep older men safe from fractures.
Methodology
A case-cohort study was conducted with 436 men who had nonspine fractures and a subcohort of 1608 men, measuring serum vitamin D levels and assessing fracture risk over an average follow-up of 5.3 years.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the exclusion of men without sufficient serum for vitamin D assays.
Limitations
The study primarily included white men, limiting generalizability, and lacked measures of parathyroid hormone.
Participant Demographics
Community-dwelling men aged 65 and older from six clinical centers in the United States.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = .009 for trend
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.18–2.17
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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