Volumetric bone mineral density and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status in the UK dwelling Arab, Caucasian, and South Asian women

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about ethnic differences in bone geometry, nor their association with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), especially among ethnicities living in the same country. The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate differences in bone geometry at the radius and tibia, as well as in 25(OH)D status, between Arab (A), South Asian (SA), and Caucasian (C) premenopausal women residing in the UK. The potential association between 25(OH)D concentration and indices of bone geometry was also assessed. METHODS: Fifty-seven healthy premenopausal women (17 A, 18 SA, and 22 C), ranging in age from 18 to 51 years, underwent assessment of their volumetric bone mineral density and 25(OH)D concentration. Ethnic differences were assessed using ANOVA. Spearman’s rho was used to analyze associations between 25(OH)D and pQCT bone variables. RESULTS: At the 4% radius, Arab women had a lower BMC, as well as a smaller total bone area and trabecular area than did Caucasian women. At the 4% tibia, Arab women had a lower total vBMD than did South Asian women. Serum 25(OH)D among Arab (36.5(22.4SD)) and South Asian (31.4 (16.8SD)) women was significantly lower than in Caucasian women (81.9(20.0SD)) (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant correlations between 25(OH)D and pQCT bone variables in any ethnic group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a possible need for attention to bone health in premenopausal Arab women as well as improvement in Vitamin D status in Arab and South Asian populations.