Abstract
AIM: To compare the nutritional status and dietary intake of elderly women admitted with hip fracture (HF) versus a control group without fracture and without known abnormalities of bone mineral density. DESIGN: Descriptive and observational study. LOCATION: Hospital Neurotraumatológico in Jaen (Spain) and three urban Primary Health Care centers in Jaen city (San Felipe, Virgen de la Capilla and El Valle). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 44 women with HF, which was considered osteoporotic, and a control group composed of 42 women with a similar age range, selected randomly from the medical outpatients who visit their Primary Health Care centers. MEASUREMENTS: We record sociodemographic data. Dietary intake before the fracture and anthropometric variables in the first 72hours after admission were assessed. RESULTS: Patients with HF had lower weight (67.2±10.1kg versus 72.0±10.1kg, P<.05), BMI (27.6±3.7kg/m(2) versus 31.3±4.6kg/m(2), P<.001), as well as lower arm and leg circumferences than the control patients. A significantly higher intake, in terms of macronutrients and energy consumption, was detected in the control group, as well as lower than recommended intake of calcium and vitamin D in both groups, which was more marked in patients with HF. Logistic regression found that the HF was associated with a lower BMI as well as lower intakes of protein, carbohydrates and calcium. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate nutritional status and adequate intake of essential macro- and micronutrients seem to prevent osteoporotic HF.