Prospective Analysis of Nutritional Status and Fracture Healing Outcomes in Adult Patients at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Nutritional status is an increasingly recognised modulator of bone healing biology, influencing callus formation, mineral density, and time to union. Protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency, and micronutrient gaps are prevalent in segments of the Nigerian population and may contribute to delayed fracture healing and complications. This prospective cohort study investigates the relationship between pre-operative nutritional status and fracture healing outcomes in adult patients with long bone fractures at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), South South Nigeria. One hundred and twenty patients undergoing surgical fracture fixation will be enrolled and assessed for nutritional status using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) tool, serum albumin, vitamin D levels, and BMI. Healing outcomes including callus formation at six and twelve weeks and time to clinical union will be assessed radiographically. Logistic regression will identify nutritional parameters independently predictive of delayed union (greater than 20 weeks). The study hypothesises that vitamin D deficiency and low serum albumin are significant independent predictors of delayed fracture healing. Findings will be reported to the orthopaedic and nutrition departments at UPTH to support integration of nutritional optimisation protocols into peri-operative orthopaedic care. Keywords: nutritional status, fracture healing, vitamin D deficiency, UPTH, serum albumin.