Bone function test and nutritional state in patients presented with recent fractures of femoral neck

Abstract

This Case control study was carried out in Mosul Teaching Hospital during July 2004 – March 2005 to assess nutritional state and bone function test in elderly patients presented with recent fractures of femoral neck. Fifty four patients with recent fracture of femoral neck. The patients mean age was (68.35) years ranged between 50-99 years. There were 30 females and 24 males. The control group was selected from non orthopaedic patients with same age, sex and the same hospital. Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphates and blood urea were measured for all patients. Serum albumin and total lymphocyte count were measured to assess the nutritional state. The study showed that, there significant low serum calcium and phosphorus in all patients, and osteomalacia are significantly higher in patients presented with recent fracture proximal femur. Low serum albumin and malnutrition were also significantly higher in our patients .There is no correlation between osteomalacia and malnutrition in patients and there is no significant sex differences in malnutrition and osteomalacia. Malnutrition and osteomalacia are common in patients presented with recent fractures of femoral neck. Special programs to reduce incidence of malnutrition and osteomalacia, to improve treatment and to reduce their complications is indicated