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Vitamin D in Foot and Ankle Fracture Healing: A Literature Review and Research Design.

Foot & ankle specialist
October 1, 2015
Andrew Bernhard et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D (often combined with calcium) in bone healing and fracture prevention, particularly in at-risk populations.

Results Summary

The study found mixed and inconclusive results regarding vitamin D's efficacy in fracture healing, with prevention studies often including calcium but few focusing on vitamin D alone. Animal model studies also yielded ambiguous outcomes, though recent case reports appeared promising.

Population

At-risk populations, including menopausal women and osteoporotic patients.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (13)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
vitamin D
neutral
calcium homeostasis
-
-
important in
#1
vitamin D
neutral
bone metabolism
-
-
important in
#2
vitamin D
no change
bone healing
-
-
efficacy is in question
#3
vitamin D
decrease
fractures
-
-
effects on prevention of
#4
vitamin D
neutral
controlled fractures
animal models
-
interventions on
#5
vitamin D
neutral
prevention
at-risk populations
-
focus on
#6
vitamin D
neutral
prevention
menopausal women
-
focus on
#7
vitamin D
neutral
prevention
osteoporotic patients
-
focus on
#8
vitamin D and calcium
neutral
-
-
-
include in the treatment group
#9
vitamin D
neutral
-
-
-
few studies look at
#10
vitamin D supplementation
neutral
-
animal model studies
-
focus more on
#11
vitamin D supplementation
no change
-
-
-
results are largely inconclusive
#12
vitamin D
no change
fracture healing
-
-
ambiguity of results on
#13
Abstract

UNLABELLED: Vitamin D is a generic name for a group of essential vitamins, or secosteroids, important in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Specifically, efficacy of vitamin D with regard to bone healing is in question. A literature review was performed, finding mostly large studies involving vitamin D effects on prevention of fractures and randomized animal model studies consisting of controlled fractures with vitamin D interventions. The prevention articles generally focus on at-risk populations, including menopausal women and osteoporotic patients, and also most often include calcium in the treatment group. Few studies look at vitamin D specifically. The animal model studies often focus more on vitamin D supplementation; however the results are still largely inconclusive. While recent case reports appear promising, the ambiguity of results on the topic of fracture healing suggests a need for more, higher level research. A novel study design is proposed to help determine the efficacy on vitamin D in fracture healing. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV: Systematic Review.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AgedAnkle FracturesDietary SupplementsFemaleFoot InjuriesFracture Fixation, InternalFracture HealingHumansInjury Severity ScoreMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative CarePrognosisRadiographyRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicResearch DesignVitamin D
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy50/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year0.2
Relative Citation Ratio0.12
NIH Percentile5.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score1.37
Normalized Score0.54
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