Abstract

BackgroundHip fractures (HF) are a high-impact geriatric syndrome. Vitamin B12 deficiency is an HF risk factor.There are few studies on prevalence of B12 deficiency in older adults with HF. The objectives are as follows: in olderadults with HF, to describe/characterize plasma levels of vitamin B12 (PL-B12); to verify presence/absence of a sub-group with borderline, near-deficient PLB12; to describe HF incidence; and to analyse relationships between PL-B12and studied variables.MethodsCross-sectional, observational study, analytical component. Complete Collection sample(01.08.2016–31.08.2018). Variables: PL-B12, age, sex, HF location, time of year, in-hospital stay length.Medians/percentiles, non-parametric tests. PL-B12 cut-off points according to the WHO, proposing new cut-off pointsto capture borderline values.ResultsA total of 580 subjects. HF incidence = 264/100 000≥65 years, 79% female, 72% extracapsular HF. Medians:age = 83 years; PL-B12 = 349 pg/cc; hospitalization = 13 days. Significantly lower PL-B12 in males (P= 0.023) andextracapsular fractures (P= 0.013). No significant differences between age groups, length of hospitalization, and sea-son of the year. Thirty-five per cent B12 deficiency (16% deficiency and 19% mild deficiency). By increasing cut-offpoint for deficiency to 400 pg/cc, prevalence increased to 58%.ConclusionsHigh prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency among older adults with HF, significantly higher in men andextracapsular HF. Twenty-four per cent normal PL-B12 according to WHO criteria, but with borderline, near-deficientlevels, at the time of HF. In older adults with HF, we recommend measuring PL-B12 and raising the cut-off level requiredto diagnose deficiency. We consider that older adults with HF are a specific risk group for vitamin B12 deficiency.