VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN PATIENTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS UNDERGOING TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY A CAUSE FOR CONCERN?

Abstract

Introduction: The presence of low levels of vitamin D in osteoarthritic patients has been reported as a substantial problem. We are not aware of any previous studies that have assessed the function of osteoarthritic patients undergoing joint replacement who are vitamin D deficient. This may be an important factor infiuencing preoperative function and postoperative outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate whether low vitamin D levels are associated with functional deterioration in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

Methods: We measured plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels in 62 consecutive Caucasian patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they were vitamin D sufficient or deficient. The groups were matched for age, gender and ASA grade.

Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in our cohort of patients was comparable to recent population-based studies performed in the UK. Patients with vitamin D deficiency had lower preoperative Harris hip scores (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.018) and were significantly less likely to attain an excellent outcome from total hip arthroplasty (Chi-square test, p = 0.038). Vitamin D levels were found to positively correlate with both preoperative and postoperative Harris hip scores.

Discussion: Our results warrant further study of vitamin D deficiency in patients undergoing joint replacement as it is a risk factor for suboptimal outcome which is relatively simple and cheap to correct.