Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Patients from Western Australia with Hip Fracture: Relationship to Type of Hip Fracture, Renal Function, and Vitamin D Deficiency

Abstract

Secondary hyperparathyroidism appears to be a heterogeneous condition, caused in approximately equal proportions by vitamin D deficiency and renal dysfunction, that may confer increased cortical bone fragility and trochanteric fractures. Renal dysfunction in old age may be an important additional determinant of senile osteoporosis, which has implications for preventive therapy. Vitamin D deficiency occurs in disabled and, presumably, housebound older people despite near optimal climatic conditions.