Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone mineral density among Hispanic men.
There are few data on the skeletal health of Hispanic men. We observed differences in vitamin D deficiency and low BMD between Hispanic ethnic subgroups that persisted with adjustment for risk factors. Our data indicate a substantial burden of low BMD and vitamin D deficiency among Hispanic men.


BACKGROUND
Disparities within ethnic groups are generally ignored, but in evolving populations they may have implications for public health. We examined ethnic variation in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and bone mineral density (BMD) among Hispanic American men.


METHODS
Three hundred and fifty-eight Hispanic males 30 to 79 years of age were studied. Logistic regression models assessed variation in odds of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) and low BMD (T-score<-1) by ethnicity, with and without adjustment for risk factors (age, smoking, occupation, physical activity, body mass index, and sunlight exposure).


RESULTS
Vitamin D deficiency was most common among Puerto Rican (26%), compared with Dominican (21%), Central American (11%), and South American (9%) men. Percentages with low BMD were: South American (44%), Puerto Rican (34%), Dominican (29%), and Central American (23%). Adjustment for age and risk factors failed to account for Hispanic subgroup differences in vitamin D deficiency and low BMD. Population estimates indicate a substantial burden of low BMD and vitamin D deficiency among Hispanic men.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings underscore the importance of examining the skeletal health of Hispanic subgroups, and suggest that a considerable number of Hispanic men may be at elevated risk of fracture and vitamin D deficiency.
New England Research Institutes, Watertown, MA 02472, USA. aaraujo@neriscience.com
A B
AB
Araujo
T G
TG
Travison
G R
GR
Esche
M F
MF
Holick
T C
TC
Chen
J B
JB
McKinlay
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D