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. 2011 Sep;22(9):2475-85.
doi: 10.1007/s00198-010-1481-1. Epub 2010 Nov 23.

The association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with indicators of bone quality in men of Caucasian and African ancestry

K E Barbour  1 , J M Zmuda, M J Horwitz, E S Strotmeyer, R Boudreau, R W Evans, K E Ensrud, C L Gordon, M A Petit, A L Patrick, J A Cauley; Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Research Group
Affiliations

The association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with indicators of bone quality in men of Caucasian and African ancestry

K E Barbour et al. Osteoporos Int. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

We examined the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with indices of bone quality in older men. Positive associations for 25(OH)D and bone mineral density, content, cortical thickness, and axial and polar strength strain indices were observed among Caucasians; however, among men of African descent findings were either null or negative.

Introduction: There are limited data on serum 25(OH)D and bone measures in men of African ancestry. To better understand racial differences in vitamin D status and bone health, a cross-sectional study among 446 Caucasian men in the US and 496 men of African ancestry in Tobago (age ≥ 65 years) was conducted.

Methods: Serum 25(OH)D (liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry) was measured, and peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans were administered. Bone measures estimated included trabecular and cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone geometry (cross-sectional area and cortical thickness), and polar and axial strength strain indices (SSIp and SSIx).

Results: Men of African ancestry had higher 25(OH)D than Caucasians (34.7 vs. 27.6 ng/ml, p < 0.01). Among Caucasians, 25(OH)D was positively (p trend < 0.05) associated with cortical vBMD, total BMC, cortical thickness, SSIp, and SSIx at the distal radius after adjustment for potential confounders. Similar patterns were observed at the distal tibia. In contrast, in men of African ancestry, there was an inverse association (p trend < 0.05) between 25(OH)D and the cross-sectional area, and SSIx. Race modified (p for interaction < 0.05) the association between 25(OH)D and total BMC, cross-sectional area, SSIp, SSIx, and trabecular vBMD of the radius. In men of African ancestry, there was evidence of a threshold effect (at approximately 18 ng/ml) for 25(OH)D on tibial total BMC and cortical thickness.

Conclusions: More studies are needed to better comprehend these race differences for 25(OH)D and bone density, geometry, and indices of bone strength.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: All authors have no conflict of interest and nothing to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Plot showing the predicted values and the lower and upper 95% confidence limits of tibial total BMC by serum 25(OH)D in men of African Ancestery Spline Plots for Tibial Total BMC by Serum 25(OH)D in Men of African Ancestery
Figure 2
Figure 2
Plot showing the predicted values and the lower and upper 95% confidence limits of tibial cortical thickness by serum 25(OH)D in men of African ancestery Spline Plots for Tibial Cortical Thickness by Serum 25(OH)D in Men of African Ancestery
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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