Poster 170: Vitamin D Deficiency in Individuals With Orthopedic Injuries Admitted to the Rehabilitation Service: A Case Series

Objective: To assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with traumatic and nontraumatic orthopedic injuries admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation service and to identify demographic and injury-related characteristics that predict variations in serum Vitamin D, 25-OH (VitD-25[OH]) level. Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: Academic inpatient rehabilitation program. Participants: 106 consecutive patients with traumatic and nontraumatic orthopedic injuries admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: VitD-25(OH) level, patient demographics (age, sex, and race) and injury-related characteristics (etiology, injury site, season- and time since injury). Results: 100 of 106 patients with orthopedic injuries admitted between January 2007 and February 2008 had VitD- 25(OH) concentrations below the optimal value of 30ng/mL. The mean VitD-25(OH) level was 17.1ng/mL with a range from 7.0 to 43.9ng/ml. Blacks had statistically significant lower mean VitD-25(OH) levels compared with whites (14.4 vs 17.7 ng/mL, t=−2.149; P=.034). Lower-extremity amputation was statistically associated with lower mean VitD-25(OH) levels (t=4.050; P<0.001). There was a statically significant difference in mean VitD-25(OH) levels between men and women (18.55 vs 15.37ng/mL, t=−2.22, P<0.028). None of the other variables were associated with VitD-25(OH) levels. Conclusions: The prevalence of VitD-25(OH) deficiency was 94% in this sample of patients with orthopedic injuries. Blacks, lower-extremity amputees, and women may be at higher risk for a greater drop in vitamin D levels. Surveillance of VitD-25(OH) should be part of routine health exams for persons with orthopedic injuries.