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Correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and latitude in Brazilian postmenopausal women: from the Arzoxifene Generations Trial

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An Erratum to this article was published on 08 June 2013

Abstract

Summary

We investigated vitamin D status in Brazilian cities located at different latitudes. Insufficiency (<50 nmol/L) was common (17 %), even in those living in a tropical climate. Vitamin D insufficiency increased as a function of latitude. Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in each site and latitude correlation were very high (r = −0.88; p < 0.0001).

Introduction

Inadequate vitamin D, determined by low levels of 25(OH)D, has become very common despite the availability of sunlight at some latitudes. National data from a country that spans a wide range of latitudes would help to determine to what extent latitude or other factors are responsible for vitamin D deficiency. We investigated vitamin D status in cities located at different latitudes in Brazil, a large continental country.

Methods

The source is the Brazilian database from the Generations Trial (1,933 osteopenic or osteoporotic postmenopausal women (60 to 85 years old) with 25(OH)D measurements). 25(OH)D below 25 nmol/L (10 ng/mL) was an exclusion criterion. Baseline values were between fall and winter. The sites included Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre. Mean and standard deviation of 25(OH)D, age, spine and femoral neck T-score, calcium, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase were calculated for each city. Pearson correlation was used for 25(OH)D and latitude.

Results

Insufficiency (<50 or <20 ng/mL) was common (329 subjects, 17 %). Vitamin D insufficiency increased as a function of latitude, reaching 24.5 % in the southernmost city, Porto Alegre. The correlation between mean 25(OH)D levels in each site and latitude was very high (r = −0.88, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

There is a high percentage of individuals with vitamin D insufficiency in Brazil, even in cities near the equator, and this percentage progressively increases with more southern latitudes.

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Conflicts of interest

Dr. Alan Y. Chiang works at Eli Lilly and Company. The other authors have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bone and Mineral Unit, Division of Endocrinology, São Paulo Federal University, São Paulo, Brazil

    H. P. Arantes & M. Lazaretti-Castro

  2. Division of Endocrinology and Metabology, Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná (SEMPR), Paraná, Brazil

    C. A. M. Kulak & V. C. Borba

  3. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, São Paulo, Brazil

    C. E. Fernandes

  4. Rheumatology Department, Heliópolis Hospital, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    C. Zerbini

  5. Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Hospital Agamenon Magalhães, Brazilian Ministry of Health (MS/SUS), Medical School, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Recife, PE, Brazil

    F. Bandeira

  6. Maternidade Climério de Oliveira, Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil

    I. C. Barbosa

  7. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    J. C. T. Brenol

  8. CCBR Brasil Clinic Research Center, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    L. A. Russo

  9. Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, USA

    A. Y. Chiang

  10. Division of Endocrinology, Metabolic Bone Diseases Unit, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA

    J. P. Bilezikian

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  1. H. P. Arantes
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  2. C. A. M. Kulak
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  3. C. E. Fernandes
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  12. M. Lazaretti-Castro
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Correspondence to H. P. Arantes.

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Arantes, H.P., Kulak, C.A.M., Fernandes, C.E. et al. Correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and latitude in Brazilian postmenopausal women: from the Arzoxifene Generations Trial. Osteoporos Int 24, 2707–2712 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-013-2366-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-013-2366-x

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