Objective: to assess the prevalence of the most relevant environmental
and individual risk factors in subjects with a recent
hip fracture was the aim of this observational study promoted
by the Health Authorities of the Regione Veneto (Italy).
Methods: patients aged > 60 years of both genders with a recent
hip fracture not associated with malignancies, were administered
questionnaires on dietary habits, sun exposure,
disability score. A complete family, pharmacological and
pathology history was collected together with previous falls,
details of the fracture index, anthropometric data. In a subgroup
of patients blood was taken for the measurements of
serum 25 hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD).
Results: the study includes 704 patients (573 women and 131
men). Mean age was 81±8 years (range 60-102). Severe prefracture
disability was a common feature (58%) associated
with multiple co-morbidities (84%), more frequently cardiovascular
and neurological diseases, and specific medications.
In a large proportion (86%) of the patients environmental or
individual risk factors for falling were found. Vitamin D insufficiency
was quite common, particularly in the regional
Health Districts were strategies for preventing vitamin D deficiency
were not implemented. Only a small proportion (17%)
of the study population had been evaluate and treated for
osteoporosi
