Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults With Tibial Plateau Fractures: A Comparative Analysis Using a Large National Population

TL;DR

This study found that adults with tibial plateau fractures have significantly lower vitamin D levels compared to the general Greek population, suggesting a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and this type of fracture.

Contribution

The study is the first to compare vitamin D levels in tibial plateau fracture patients with the general Greek population, revealing a significant deficiency in the patient group.

Findings

Patients with tibial plateau fractures had significantly lower mean vitamin D levels than the general population (16.24 ng/mL vs. 25.08 ng/mL).

Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in the fracture group (75.6%) compared to the general population (40%).

The fracture group was predominantly male, while the general population sample was mostly female.

Abstract

Background and aim

Vitamin D is essential for bone metabolism and fracture prevention, yet its status in tibial plateau fractures remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate serum vitamin D levels in patients with tibial plateau fractures and compare them with data from the general Greek population, investigating whether vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent among fracture patients.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated 45 adults presenting with tibial plateau fractures at a tertiary hospital in Greece. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25{OH}D) was measured on admission and categorized as sufficient (>30 ng/mL), insufficient (20-30 ng/mL), or deficient (<20 ng/mL). Values were compared with published data from 8780 individuals from the Greek general population. Statistical analysis was performed between these two groups.

Results

Patients had markedly lower mean vitamin D levels than the population sample (16.24±8.21 ng/mL vs. 25.08±14.40 ng/mL; p<0.0005). Deficiency was strikingly more common in the fracture group (75.6% vs. 40%; p<0.0005). Both groups were similar with respect to age but not in gender, since in the general population, the majority of the subjects were female compared with the male dominance in the tibial plateau fracture group (73.3% vs. 30%; p<0.0005).

Conclusion

Adults with tibial plateau fractures show profound vitamin D deficiency compared with the general Greek population. Screening and supplement treatment may be advisable in this patient group. Further studies should investigate whether low vitamin D could be a risk factor for tibial plateau fracture.

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