Age but not gender modulates the relationship between PTH and vitamin D.
BACKGROUND
It is unclear whether the relationship between 25-OHD and PTH is modulated by age or gender.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the 25-OHD-PTH relationship in 340 adolescents (10-17 years) and 443 elderly (65-85 years) of the same ethnic group, and living in the same sunny country.


METHODS
Calcium intake was estimated. Serum calcium, phosphorus, 25-OHD and PTH were measured. Body fat was determined by DXA.


RESULTS
25-OHD levels were lower in the elderly in the overall group (p<0.001) and within genders. 25-OHD levels were lower in females in the overall group and within age subgroups (p<0.05). PTH levels were higher in the elderly in the overall population and in both genders (p<0.001). There were no gender differences in PTH levels within age subgroups. For the same 25-OHD level, PTH levels were comparable across genders but were 1.5-2 folds higher in the elderly compared to adolescents (p<0.001). PTH correlated positively with age (p<0.001), body fat (p=0.02), and negatively with calcium intake (p<0.001), and 25-OHD (p<0.001). The magnitude of the correlation with 25-OHD decreased after adjustment for age but not for gender. In multivariate analyses, age, 25-OHD and fat mass were independent predictors for PTH. In the elderly, after adjustment for serum creatinine, only 25-OHD and creatinine were independent predictors of PTH.


CONCLUSIONS
The negative relationship between 25-OHD and PTH is modulated by age but not gender. Desirable 25-OHD levels derived from examining the 25-OHD-PTH relationship should therefore take into account the age of the population of interest.
Arabi
Asma
A
Calcium Metabolism and Osteoporosis Program, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. aa22@aub.edu.lb
Baddoura
Rafic
R
El-Rassi
Rola
R
El-Hajj Fuleihan
Ghada
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D