Association of Different Levels of Vitamin D Deficiency and Hip Fracture in Indian Population: A Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures represent a major public health problem in India, associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden. Vitamin D deficiency, highly prevalent in the Indian population, is a modifiable risk factor for osteoporosis, muscle weakness, falls, and fragility fractures. While the association between hypovitaminosis D and hip fractures is well established, limited Indian data exist examining fracture patterns across different severities of Vitamin D deficiency. The study is to evaluate the association between varying levels of serum Vitamin D deficiency and types of hip fractures in the Indian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, from April 2024 to November 2025. Fifty patients aged >50 years (females) and >60 years (males) presenting with low-energy hip fractures were included. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured using a VITROS 5600 dry chemistry autoanalyzer. Vitamin D status was categorized as severe deficiency (<10 ng/mL), moderate deficiency (10-20 ng/mL), insufficiency (20-30 ng/mL), and sufficiency (>30 ng/mL). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v22 with the Chi-square test and analysis of variance.

RESULTS: The majority of patients were aged 70-79 years (52%). Intertrochanteric fractures were the most common fracture type (60%), followed by neck of femur fractures (34%). Vitamin D deficiency (severe + moderate) was present in 72% of patients. Moderate deficiency (10-20 ng/mL) was the predominant category (60%). Intertrochanteric fractures were most frequently associated with moderate deficiency, whereas severe deficiency was more common among neck of femur fractures. The association between Vitamin D status and fracture type was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among Indian patients with hip fractures and shows a significant association with fracture subtype. Graded Vitamin D deficiency appears to influence both fracture occurrence and anatomical pattern. Routine screening and early correction of Vitamin D deficiency may play a critical role in hip fracture prevention in the elderly Indian population.