SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Vitamin D Deficiency and Fall Risk in Hospitalized Adults: A Retrospective Chart Review

Pdf Summary

This retrospective chart review examined whether vitamin D deficiency was associated with falls among hospitalized adults. The study included 301 adults seen at a tertiary care hospital between 2015 and 2020 who had a serum vitamin D level measured within six months of presentation. Patients with severe kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism, hypocalcemia, unresolved fractures, antifracture therapy, or bedbound status were excluded.<br /><br />Researchers compared vitamin D levels in patients who presented after a fall versus those who presented for other reasons. They also assessed whether age, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and ambulatory dysfunction/gait disorder influenced fall risk.<br /><br />Among the 301 participants, 69 (22.9%) experienced at least one fall. Patients who fell were significantly older than those who did not fall (71.2 vs 57.3 years). However, mean vitamin D levels were essentially the same between the two groups (31.6 vs 32.5 ng/mL), and vitamin D status did not predict falls.<br /><br />On bivariate analysis, age 65 years or older, CKD stages 1–3, and ambulatory dysfunction/gait disorder were associated with falls. In the multivariable logistic regression model, only age remained independently significant: adults aged 65 or older had 3.73 times greater odds of falling. CKD and ambulatory dysfunction showed trends toward significance but did not reach clear statistical significance.<br /><br />Overall, the study found no meaningful relationship between vitamin D levels and fall risk in this hospitalized adult population. Age was the strongest predictor of falls, and the authors suggest that larger prospective studies are needed to further examine possible roles for CKD and gait dysfunction.

Asset Subtitle

Kelly M. Lambert

Meta Tag

Author List Basant Pradhan, Kelly M. Lambert, Krystal Hunter, Raquel Nahra, Samantha Shor, Sammar Rasheed, Shakibur Rahman, Subhadra Thampi

Category Research

Concept Vitamin D Deficiency

Concept Fall Risk

Concept Age Over 65 Years

Concept Hospitalized Adults

Concept Retrospective Chart Review

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

Presenting Author Kelly M. Lambert

Track Geriatrics

Keywords

vitamin D deficiency

falls

hospitalized adults

retrospective chart review

serum vitamin D

older adults

chronic kidney disease

gait disorder

logistic regression

fall risk

Vitamin D Deficiency

Fall Risk

Age Over 65 Years

Hospitalized Adults

Retrospective Chart Review