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Protein Supplements after Osteoporotic Hip Fracture
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TO THE EDITOR:
Schurch and colleagues are to be congratulated on their randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of long-term protein supplementation after hip fracture, especially in light of the paucity of such trials [1]. Unfortunately, the authors do not provide information on the caloric and protein intake of the intervention and control groups after the fracture. Before the fracture, protein intake seems to have been adequate (45.0 to 51 g/d in a group with an average weight of 61 kg is equivalent to 0.73 to 0.83 g/kg of body weight per day). Exact comparisons are not given for intake after the fracture, but the authors do state in their discussion that the intake of unsupplemented protein was 40 g. This suggests that the control group decreased their protein intake after the fracture, possibly because of supplemental calories received via a protein-free drink. Thus, there may actually have been two interventions: one in the protein-supplemented group, which had an increase in protein intake from 45 to 60 g, and one in the control group, which had a decrease in protein intake from 50 to 40 g. Clarification of this issue would be appreciated.
Karen G. Kelly, MD
Philadelphia Geriatric Center; Philadelphia, PA 19141
The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
- Copyright ©2004 by the American College of Physicians
