Are elderly Asians in Britain at a high risk of vitamin D deficiency and osteomalacia?
Many studies have shown the indigenous elderly population and Asian immigrants to be groups at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency and osteomalacia, but there are no data on the risks in elderly Asians. In this community-based study a group of elderly Asians was compared with control groups of elderly and young whites and young Asians. Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in elderly Asians (21/37) and young Asians (7/17) compared with white controls. The difference in parathyroid hormone (PTH) between Asians and whites was also significant (p < 0.0007) as was that between young and old (p < 0.0002). Abnormal PTH and 25-OHD3 (high PTH and low 25-OHD3), indicative of a high risk of osteomalacia, occurred in 22% of elderly Asians compared with 6% of elderly whites. The calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase were normal in all individuals. Among the Asians, vegetarianism was not related to lower 25-OHD3 levels. Symptoms suggestive of osteomalacia were more common (p < 0.05) in elderly Asians than in their white counterparts. This first study of 25-OHD3 levels in community-resident elderly Asians suggests that more than half were low, placing them at a significantly higher risk of osteomalacia.
Solanki
T
T
Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham.
Hyatt
R H
RH
Kemm
J R
JR
Hughes
E A
EA
Cowan
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010018:Osteomalacia / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D002112:Calcifediol