Risk factors for vitamin D inadequacy among women with osteoporosis: an international epidemiological study.
A serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level of 75 nmol/l (30 ng/ml) has been proposed as the minimum for adequate vitamin D nutrition as lower levels are associated with increases in serum parathyroid hormone in otherwise healthy adults. Amongst 2589 community-dwelling, postmenopausal women with osteoporosis from 18 countries, recruited to determine risk factors for vitamin D inadequacy, 64% had vitamin D inadequacy. General health, education, ethnicity, sun exposure, skin reactivity, diet, recent travel to sunny climates, vitamin D supplementation, body mass index (BMI), season and latitude were assessed using logistic regression models. Asian ethnicity, BMI >or=30 kg/m(2), living in non-equatorial countries, inadequate vitamin D supplementation, poor/fair health, no education about vitamin D, skin reactivity and no recent travel to sunny areas were significant predictors. Several modifiable risk factors are associated with vitamin D inadequacy worldwide, suggesting potentially simple ways to increase vitamin D and improve bone health in postmenopausal women.
Rizzoli
R
R
Hopital Cantonal Universitaire de Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland.
Eisman
J A
JA
Norquist
J
J
Ljunggren
O
O
Krishnarajah
G
G
Lim
S-K
SK
Chandler
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013472:Sunlight; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
D002112:Calcifediol