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Osteoporosis International

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01-09-2012 | Original Article

Defining physiologically “normal” vitamin D in African Americans

Authors: N. C. Wright, L. Chen, J. Niu, T. Neogi, K. Javiad, M. A. Nevitt, C. E. Lewis, J. R. Curtis

Published in: Osteoporosis International | Issue 9/2012

Abstract

Summary

The relationship between serum 25(OH)D and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) was evaluated in the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST). No further change in iPTH was observed for African Americans with 25(OH)D levels above 20 ng/ml, suggesting that compared to Caucasians, lower vitamin D targets for sufficiency may be appropriate for African Americans.

Introduction

Vitamin D levels ≥30 ng/ml are commonly considered “normal” based upon maximal suppression of iPTH; however, this has recently been challenged and the optimal 25(OH)D level among non-Caucasians is unclear. We evaluated the cross-sectional relationship between serum 25(OH)D and iPTH in a sample of Caucasian and African American adults.

Methods

We used baseline serum samples of participants from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) for this analysis and used three methods to model the relationship between 25(OH)D and iPTH: ordinary least squares regression (OLS), segmented regression and Helmert contrasts.

Results

Among Caucasians (n = 1,258), 25(OH)D and iPTH ranged from 4 to 51 ng/ml and 2 to 120 pg/ml and from 3 to 32 ng/ml and 3 to 119 pg/ml in African Americans (n = 423). We observed different thresholds between African Americans and Caucasians using each analytic technique. Using 25(OH)D as a categorical variable in OLS, iPTH was statistically higher at lower 25(OH)D categories than the 24–32 ng/ml referent group among Caucasians. However, in African Americans, the mean iPTH was only significantly higher at 25(OH)D levels below 15 ng/ml. Using segmented regression, iPTH appeared to stabilize at a lower 25(OH)D level in African Americans (19–23 ng/ml) compared to in Caucasians (>32 ng/ml). Helmert contrasts also revealed a lower threshold in African Americans than Caucasians.

Conclusion

Among MOST participants, the 25(OH)D thresholds at which no further change in iPTH was observed was approximately 20 ng/ml in African Americans versus approximately 30 ng/ml in Caucasians, suggesting optimal vitamin D levels in Caucasians may not be applicable to African Americans.

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Title: Defining physiologically “normal” vitamin D in African Americans
Authors: N. C. Wright
L. Chen
J. Niu
T. Neogi
K. Javiad
M. A. Nevitt
C. E. Lewis
J. R. Curtis
Publication date: 01-09-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Osteoporosis International / Issue 9/2012
Print ISSN: 0937-941X
Electronic ISSN: 1433-2965
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-011-1877-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Defining physiologically “normal” vitamin D in African Americans

Abstract

Summary

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Summary

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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