Bone Abstracts

Introduction: To compare serum vitamin D levels in elderly patients with or without osteoporotic spinal compression fractures (OSCF) and to evaluate a correlation between serum vitamin D level and several variables such as age, and bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers.

Methods: The medical records of 78 patients with OSCF (fracture group) and 84 age-matched control patients who were diagnosed osteoporosis without OSCF (control group) were reviewed. Serum vitamin D levels were compared between the two groups with consideration of age and seasonal variations and compared according to sex and living environment (living and nursing home) in each group. BMD and bone turnover markers (osteocalcin and c-telopeptide) were compared between the two groups. In all subjects (162 patients), the correlation between vitamin D level and age, BMD, and bone turnover markers was evaluated.

Results: In the serum 25(OH) vitamin D₃ level, 62 patients (78%) in fracture group and 46 patients (59%) in control group were insufficient. Both the mean 25(OH) vitamin D₃ levels and BMD were significantly lower in the fracture group compared to the control group (P<0.0001 and <0.0001 respectively). In particular, there were significant differences of 25(OH) vitamin D₃ levels between the two groups in patients in their 60s with consideration of age and in spring and autumn with consideration of seasonal variations. But, 25(OH) vitamin D₃ levels were not significantly different in each group according to sex and living environment. 25(OH) vitamin D₃ level was negatively correlated with age (r=−0.183, P=0.02) and positively correlated with BMD (r=0.251, P=0.001).

Conclusions: Vitamin D level was insufficient in most patients with OSCF, and patients with OSCF were found to have significantly lower vitamin D levels than patients without fracture. So, it is important to maintain the optimal range of serum vitamin D level in elderly patients with osteoporosis to prevent OSCF.