Low vitamin D levels may cause wrist fracture

Low levels of vitamin D could cause wrist fractures in postmenopausal women, a new study claims.

It is believed that 44 per cent of postmenopausal women who experience distal radius fracture (DRF) do so because of insufficient vitamin D.

Researchers analysed the medical records of 104 patients treated with DRF and 107 age-matched controls with soft tissue disease.

It was found that vitamin D levels were significantly lower in those with DRF.

In fact, 26 per cent of the DRF patients were vitamin D insufficient (having vitamin D serum levels between 20 and 32 ng/ml), and 18 percent, deficient (serum levels below 20 ng/ml).

It is hoped that further research will be able to determine whether vitamin D supplements could help reduce a person's risk of fracture or prevent future fractures in patients with DRF.

However, excess levels of vitamin D could expose patients to the onset of atrial fibrillation and other cardiovascular diseases.

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