Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone mineral density in a racially and ethnically diverse group of men.
BACKGROUND
Although racial and ethnic differences in vitamin D status and bone mineral density (BMD) are recognized, less is known about how differences in vitamin D status impact BMD, especially among men.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to examine the relation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and BMD by race and ethnic group.


METHODS
We conducted a population-based, observational survey.


METHODS
PARTICIPANTS included 1114 Black, Hispanic, and White men, 30-79 yr of age.


RESULTS
We assessed 25(OH)D by a competitive protein binding assay and BMD by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.


RESULTS
Mean age +/- SD of the 331 Black, 362 Hispanic, and 421 White men was 48 +/- 12.8 yr. Mean 25(OH)D was lower among Black (25.0 +/- 14.7 ng/ml) and Hispanic (32.9 +/- 13.9 ng/ml) men compared with White men (37.4 +/- 14.0 ng/ml, P < 0.01). A higher percentage of both Black (44%) and Hispanic (23%) men had levels of 25(OH)D in the lowest quartile, compared with 11% of White men (P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, height, and weight, only White men showed significant positive correlation between 25(OH)D and BMD (range of correlations, 0.00-0.14). Serum 25(OH)D was not associated with BMD in Black or Hispanic men at any bone site. Results were similar when adjusted for age only.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings confirm substantial racial and ethnic group differences in BMD and serum 25(OH)D in men. Serum 25(OH)D and BMD are significantly related to one another in White men only. This may have implications for evaluation of bone health and supplementation in men with low levels of 25(OH)D. Further understanding of the biological mechanisms for these differences between race and ethnic groups is needed.
Hannan
Marian T
MT
Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, Massachusetts 02131, USA.
Litman
Heather J
HJ
Araujo
Andre B
AB
McLennan
Christine E
CE
McLean
Robert R
RR
McKinlay
John B
JB
Chen
Tai C
TC
Holick
Michael F
MF
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D044465:White People
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D