The incidence of vitamin D deficiency amongst patients with a femoral neck fracture: are current bone protection guidelines sufficient ?

Vitamin D is required for calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. This prospective observational study examined the incidence of vitamin D deficiency amongst patients with a fracture of the femoral neck, and the correlation between pre-admission use of bone-protection medication and vitamin D levels. Vitamin D assays were available in 75 out of 151 patients admitted with a hip fracture in February-March 2012; the assays were performed within one week of admission and surgery. The incidence of suboptimal vitamin D levels was 90% (68/75), with severe deficiency (