Parathyroid hormone predicts radial bone loss in healthy Nigerian adults

Abstract

Objective: The correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and bone markers is well studied in postmenopausal women and elderly men. However, related literature on healthy adults is scarce. This study determined the correlation between parathyroid hormone (PTH), BMD of the left distal radius, and other biochemical markers in apparently healthy Nigerian adults. Methods: This research included 80 (28 males/52 females) healthy participants between 22 and 50 years of age (32.10 ± 5.8 years) who met the inclusion criteria. All the participants were recruited by a systematic random sampling. Interview questionnaires were used to supplement clinical data and anthropometric measures. Fasting samples were analyzed for calcium, inorganic phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), PTH, osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase, and 24-h calcium excretion. The left distal radius BMD was examined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The data were statistically analyzed, and the significance level was set at <0.05. Results: It was found that PTH was inversely correlated with left distal radius BMD/z-score (P = 0.004). It showed positive and negative trends with serum-adjusted calcium and inorganic phosphorus (P = 0.09 and P = 0.07, respectively). Neither the OC nor 24-h calcium excretion correlated with PTH (P > 0.05). The OC was inversely correlated with BMD (P = 0.003), but not with 24-h urinary calcium excretion (P > 0.05). None of the participants had osteoporosis. Regression analysis showed that PTH and OC predict radial bone density in participants (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Higher PTH levels correlate with lower left distal radius BMD in apparently healthy participants.