Vitamin D levels in post-menopausal Korean women with a distal radius fracture

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to investigate serum levels of vitamin D in post-menopausal Korean women with a distal radius fracture (DRF) and to determine if there is any association between vitamin D levels and bone-related variables such as bone mineral densities (BMDs), serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and several bone turnover markers.Materials and methodsThe data of 104 postmenopausal women surgically treated for a distal radius fracture (DRF group) and 107 age-matched control patients without a fracture (control group) were compared. Serum vitamin D levels (25-hydroxycholecalciferol, 25(OH)D3) were compared between the groups with consideration of age and seasonal variations. BMDs, serum PTH and several bone turnover markers, including serum osteocalcin, C-telopeptide and urine N-telopeptide, were measured and analysed to find any association with vitamin D levels.ResultsThe mean 25(OH)D3 level was significantly lower in the DRF group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In particular, patients in their sixth and seventh deciles in the DRF group had significantly lower 25(OH)D3 levels than patients in the control group (p = 0.001 and 0.013, respectively). When seasonal variation was considered, significant differences of 25(OH)D3 levels were found between the groups in autumn and winter. Hip BMDs were significantly lower in the DRF group than in the control group, and there was a positive correlation between serum 25(OH)D3 levels and hip BMDs. Bone turnover markers were not significantly different between the two groups, although serum PTH levels were marginally higher in the DRF group (p = 0.08).ConclusionsPost-menopausal Korean women with a DRF were found to have significantly lower serum vitamin D levels than the control group, and vitamin D levels were particularly lower in women in their sixth and seventh deciles who may be a good target group for prevention of future fractures. Future investigation should focus on determining whether vitamin D supplementation can be helpful in preventing future fractures in patients with a DRF.