A new study from the University of Bergen in Norway suggests that low intake of vitamin K1 may increase risk of hip fractures in elderly people. A low intake of vitamin K1, but not K2, was associated with an increased risk of hip fractures. Ellen M. Apalset and colleagues studied data from 1569 men and 1238 women 71–75 years of age. They found that elderly people in the lowest quartile of vitamin K1 intake were 57 percent more likely to suffer from hip fractures.
Ellen M. Apalset, Clara G. Gjesdal, Geir E. Eide, and Grethe S. Tell
Intake of vitamin K1 and K2 and risk of hip fractures: The Hordaland Health Study
Bone 2011 Aug 2. [Epub ahead of print]
ABSTRACT
Background:
Evidence of the effect of vitamin K on bone health is conflicting. The aim was to investigate the association between intake of vitamins K1 and K2 and subsequent risk of hip fracture in a general population sample, as well as potential effect modification by apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) status by presence of the E4 allele.
Methods:
1569 men and 1238 women 71-75years of age were included in the community-based Hordaland Health Study 1997-1999 in Western Norway. Information on hip fracture was obtained from hospitalizations in the region from enrolment until 31 December 2009. Information on intake of vitamins K1 and K2 collected at baseline was used as potential predictors of hip fracture in Cox proportional hazards regression analyses.
Results:
Participants in the lowest compared to the highest quartile of vitamin K1 intake had increased risk of suffering a hip fracture (hazard ratio (HR)=1.57 [95% CI 1.09, 2.26]). Vitamin K2 intake was not associated with hip fracture. Presence of APOE4-allele did not increase the risk of hip fracture, nor was there any effect modification with vitamin K1 in relation to risk of hip fracture.
Conclusions:
A low intake of vitamin K1, but not K2, was associated with an increased risk of hip fractures.