The impact of Vitamin D Deficiency on Bone Mineral Density at Different Age Groups: A Middle Eastern and Asian Cohort

Abstract

Objectives:This is a pilot study to evaluate the skeletal consequences of the vitamin D deficiency in a big cohort of patients who are Vitamin D naive. Primarily we aimed to assess the effect of vitamin D deficiency on the BMD. Secondarily, we wanted to correlate the low vitamin D and the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis in different age and gender groups. Methods: This is a retrospective study that analyzed patients who checked their vitamin D between 2007-2015. Age, gender, vitamin D level, serum calcium, creatinine, whether patient is receiving renal replacement therapy or not and bone mineral density scan (DEXA). Results: Total number of patients included was 2587 patients. Overall osteopenia was 47.5% of female’s n=907, while 24.0% of men n=459 had it. But, osteoporosis was in 24.1% n=459 of females, versus 32.2% n=218 of males with a p= of 0.00. 28% of males had normal BMD n=544, and 28.55% of females n=544. Osteoporosis was in >50-years age (78% of those who had osteoporosis). 26% of those who underwent DEXA scan had osteoporosis n=677, 47% had osteopenia n=1216, and 28% had normal BMD n=694 to have normal BMD. At the age of 20-50 years; 36% had normal BMD, 16.8% and 24.2% had osteoporosis and osteopenia, respectively, with a p- value of 0.000. Conclusion: Our studies have shown female predominance of osteopenia plus osteoporosis together, but male’s predominance in the osteoporosis alone. Elder lies had higher rates of osteoporosis. After clearance of the confounding factors, female gender, age >50 years, serum calcium <8 and vitamin D level <10ng/ml are all considered as independent risk factors of osteoporosis.