BACKGROUND: Hypovitaminosis D is widespread in orthopaedic patients and may influence outcomes following joint arthroplasty. However, data specifically addressing vitamin D status in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and identify associated risk factors in a large German THA cohort. METHODS: tests, ANOVA, and multivariable linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: = 0.002). Vitamin D status was not associated with smoking, comorbidity burden, season, or functional scores (WOMAC, EuroQol). CONCLUSIONS: Hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent in German patients undergoing primary THA, independent of season. Obesity and male sex are significant risk factors, whereas supplementation is strongly protective. Routine preoperative assessment and targeted optimisation of vitamin D levels, particularly in high-risk subgroups, may represent a simple, cost-effective component of arthroplasty prehabilitation. Further research is needed to determine whether correcting vitamin D deficiency translates to improved postoperative outcomes.
Oberfeld et al. (2026) studied this question.