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Characterization of vitamin D deficiency and use of a standardized supplementation protocol in orthopaedic trauma patients

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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to assess the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in orthopaedic trauma patients, evaluate the safety and efficacy of a vitamin D supplementation protocol, and investigate the utility of vitamin D supplementation in reducing nonunions.

Methods

Three hundred seventy patients with operative tibia and/or fibula fractures were retrospectively reviewed. Both overall and matched cohorts were analysed.

Results

Ninety-eight per cent (n = 210) were found to have vitamin D insufficiency (serum 25(OH)D level < 30 ng/ml). There were no cases of vitamin D toxicity following vitamin D replacement. Median follow-up vitamin D level was 22.7 ng/mL. No statistical difference between union rates was found between either the two consecutive cohorts or matched cohorts.

Conclusion

This vitamin D replacement protocol was a safe treatment for hypovitaminosis D, but post hoc analysis shows there would need to be over 1200 matched patients to achieve adequate power.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Thernell R. Anderson IV, PharmD, and Nichole Perry, MD, for their assistance with data collection, and Dr. Qing Yu for his assistance with statistical analyses and creating tables.

Funding

The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work. No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript. No funding was received for conducting this study. No funds, grants, or other support was received.

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Contributions

SAD, TAW, BHM contributed to the study conception and design. ASG performed the literature search and wrote the initial draft of the manuscript. SAD, TAW, BHM, ANB, EDZ, and JEJ revised and commented on the draft. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brian H. Mullis.

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The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article. All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript. The authors have no financial or proprietary interests in any material discussed in this article.

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Gudeman, A.S., Dine, S.A., Walroth, T.A. et al. Characterization of vitamin D deficiency and use of a standardized supplementation protocol in orthopaedic trauma patients. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 33, 955–960 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-022-03231-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-022-03231-0

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