Fracture risks for women in long-term care: high prevalence of calcaneal osteoporosis and hypovitaminosis D.

Study Objectives: To determine the prevalence of osteoporosis as assessed by peripheral bone mineral density (BMD) in women living in a nursing home, to determine how many women with low BMD had received a diagnosis of osteoporosis, to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, and to seek reasons for vitamin D deficiency.

Design: Measurement of calcaneal BMD and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

Setting: Skilled nursing facility.