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Prevalence of vitamin D depletion among subjects seeking advice on osteoporosis: a five-year cross-sectional study with public health implications

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Abstract

Summary

We assessed vitamin D nutritional status in unselected consecutive patients seeking advice on osteoporosis. The prevalence of vitamin D depletion ranged from 15–72% depending upon the cut-off levels used for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and the prevalence did not change over the 5 years of the study.

Introduction

Vitamin D depletion is a significant public health problem and has been studied in different populations using different cut-off levels, but the optimal level is yet to be established.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study of 2924 patients seen for osteoporosis advice we determined the prevalence of vitamin D depletion, as assessed by 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), using three different cut-off levels stratified by gender, race and the year of the study over 5 years.

Results

Mean age was 68.3 ± 10.0 years; 90% women and 88% white. Mean 25-OHD level was 24.6 ± 10 ng/ml and mean PTH was 48.4 ± 32 pg/ml. The prevalence of vitamin D depletion was 15% with a cut-off level of <15 ng/ml, and rose to 32% and 72% with cut-off levels <20 ng/ml and <30 ng/ml, respectively. The prevalence was higher in men and blacks and remained constant over 5 years, regardless of the cut-off level. The expected inverse relationship between 25-OHD and PTH was observed irrespective of gender or ethnicity.

Conclusions

The prevalence of vitamin D depletion in patients seeking advice for osteoporosis is high and did not change over the 5 years of the study.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bone & Mineral Research Laboratory, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    G. Guardia, N. Parikh, T. Eskridge, E. Phillips & D. Sudhaker Rao

  2. Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    G. Divine

  3. Bone & Mineral Metabolism, Henry Ford Medical Center, New Center One, 3031 W. Grand Boulevard, Suite # 800, Detroit, MI, 48202-3141, USA

    D. Sudhaker Rao

Authors
  1. G. Guardia
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  2. N. Parikh
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  4. E. Phillips
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  5. G. Divine
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  6. D. Sudhaker Rao
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Correspondence to D. Sudhaker Rao.

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Guardia, G., Parikh, N., Eskridge, T. et al. Prevalence of vitamin D depletion among subjects seeking advice on osteoporosis: a five-year cross-sectional study with public health implications. Osteoporos Int 19, 13–19 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0456-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0456-3

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