Relationship of hypovitaminosis D and secondary hyperparathyroidism with bone mineral density among UK resident Indo-Asians

Abstract

Background:: There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in UK resident Indo-Asians and this may be complicated by secondary hyperparathyroidism. Objective: To investigate the relationship between these conditions and bone mineral density (BMD) in Indo-Asian rheumatology patients. Methods: 110 Indo-Asian patients presenting to a general rheumatology clinic were selected for the study, of whom 77 were vitamin D deficient (HD), and 33 also had associated secondary hyperparathyroidism (HD-SHPT). BMD measurements at the femoral neck (FN), lumbar spine (LS), distal radius (DR), and radius 33% were obtained. T and Z scores were used in the evaluation of the dual energy x ray absorptiometry findings. The Mann-Whitney U test and χ 2 tests were used in the statistical analysis. Results: The patients with HD-SHPT had significantly lower serum 25-OH-vitamin D, higher serum alkaline phosphatase, and lower calcium levels than the HD group. Both T and Z scores failed to show any significant difference between the groups in the LS, but patients with HD-SHPT compared with those with HD had significantly lower FN T scores (−1.05 (1.47) v 0

Effects of diet and exercise on plasma vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in Vietnamese immigrant elderly in Sydney, Australia

“…Our findings of very low vitamin D levels and associated significant muscle weakness in immigrant elderly are consistent with a growing literature on these phenomena both in Australia [1,2,10,11] and internationally [3][4][5]9,17,18].…”

“…Similar deficiencies and risks have been reported in immigrant populations [1][2][3][4][5]. Although, recent reports have indicated some deficiency in elderly living in China, Thailand and Malaysia [6][7][8], there is limited data on South East Asian immigrant populations [1,9].…”

Associations with Vitamin D deficiency in “at risk” Australians

“…Since the late 1970s reports of rickets in children of Asian Indians in the UK have continued and of late, deficiency in adults [24,25,27]. Although some surveys from Middle Eastern countries [28,29] report adequate Vitamin D status reports of frank deficiency in the Middle East and on immigration to the Netherlands and Scandinavia are similar to our observations [19,21,23,30].…”

Vitamin D status in gastrointestinal and liver disease

“…Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) in studies of healthy adults [67][68][69][70] and adolescents, the latter suggesting that hypovitaminosis D may compromise the attainment of peak bone mass [71,72]. The relationship between 25OHD levels and BMD is controversial among adults with IBD.…”