Age-dependent sex differences in calcium and phosphate homeostasis

Abstract

Background: Sex differences in calcium and phosphate have been observed. We aimed to assess a relation with age. Methods: We used laboratory values of serum calcium, phosphate and albumin from three different samples (years 2005, 2010 and 2014) using the hospital information system of Erasmus MC, Rotterdam. The samples were divided into 3 age groups: 1-17, 18-44 and ≥45 years. Sex differences in calcium and phosphate were analyzed using ANCOVA, adjusting for age and serum albumin. Furthermore, sex by age interactions were determined and we analyzed differences between age groups stratified by sex Results: In all 3 samples there was a significant sex*age interaction for serum calcium and phosphate, whose levels were significantly higher in women compared to men above 45 years. No sex differences in the younger age groups were found. In men, serum calcium and phosphate levels were highest in the youngest age group compared to age groups 18-44 and ≥45 years. In women, serum calcium levels were also significantly higher in the age group 1-17 and the age group ≥45 years compared to the 18-44 years age group. In women, serum phosphate was different between the three different age groups with highest level in the group 1-17 years and lowest in the group 18-44 years. Conclusion: There are age dependent sex differences in serum calcium and phosphate. Furthermore, we found differences in serum calcium and phosphate between different age groups. Underlying mechanisms for these age- and sex differences are not yet fully elucidated.

Prevalence and Correlates of Hypophosphatemia Among Type 2 diabetic patients attending the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and genetics (NCDEG)

“…Our study found a gender difference in inorganic phosphate levels, with females in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups having higher serum inorganic phosphate levels than males. This sex difference in inorganic phosphate metabolism has been reported in different studies (Koek et al, Dominguez et al and Schwarz et al) [ [23] , [24] , [25] ].…”

Jak1/Stat3 Activation Alters Phosphate Metabolism Independently of Sex and Extracellular Phosphate Levels

“…Some studies report similar phosphate levels in plasma in women and men [16], whereas other report women having slightly higher phosphate levels [31]. Other found higher phosphate levels in women aged over 45 years than men [32,33]. Of note, major differences exist how blood samples were collected (e.g., fasted vs. nonfasted, timed collection vs. random) that likely impact outcomes as phosphate levels, as well as the levels of hormones regulating phosphate bal- ance show circadian rhythms [34].…”

Plasma phosphate and all-cause mortality in individuals with and without type 2 diabetes: the Dutch population-based lifelines cohort study

“…Interestingly, women were overrepresented in the highest phosphate tertile in our study. Previous studies consistently report that postmenopausal woman have higher phosphate levels, compared to age-matched men, and suggested that declining estrogen levels after menopause causes sex differences in calcium and phosphate levels [ 25 ]. Adjustment for gender did not materially change the results, and we also found no effect modification by gender.…”