A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing the Effects of 2 Vitamin D Supplementation Regimens in Elderly People After Hip Fracture Surgery

Hip fractures and related disabilities are important public health issues for elderly people around the world. Attending the progressive aging of the population, an increase in the number of hip fractures is expected. In fact, some studies estimate that, globally, the incidence will exceed 6 million in 2050. In Spain, approximately 33,000 hip fracture occur annually, with an overall incidence of 517 cases per 100,000 elderly people. 90% occur in people over 64 years of age and the incidence increases exponentially beyond 80 years (> 64: 97/100000 inhabitants-year;> 85: 1898/100000 inhabitants-year).

Regarding the functional prognosis, those patients who survive the episode of the fracture often suffer a functional impairment. Outcomes for people who survive hip fracture are of concern, with more than one-quarter dying within a two-year period, and most of them not recovering their previous functional level. More than 10 % of survivors will be unable to return to their previous residence.

Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D, 25OHD, level < 30 ng/mL) is commonly associated with hip fracture in elderly people. Without preventive treatment, however, vitamin D deficiency following hip fracture may result in proximal muscle weakness, pain, reduced dynamic balance and performance speed.

It is not clear how much Vitamin D must be taken in order to reach the optimal level. Although the benefits of supplementing patients with at least 800 to 1000 units (U)/day Vitamin D3 may be recognized, there is little information available to guide physicians regarding the appropriate management of hip fracture patients who may be severely Vitamin D deficient, specially in acute hip fracture patients.

A randomized controlled trial, including 50 older adults (aged 75 or over) who having suffered a hip fracture and with vitamin D deficiency, will be carried out. After surgical treatment, participants with vitamin D deficiency (25OHD < 30 ng/mL) will be randomly allocated to an intervention group or control group. For the intervention group, participants will receive 16.000 U Calcifediol oral daily along 5 days. For the control group will receive 16.000 U Calcifediol oral weekly along 5 weeks.