Vit D and osteo in male veterans
Osteoporos Int. 2009 Oct;20(10):1795-803. Epub 2009 Mar 12.
Determinants of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in African-American and Caucasian male veterans.
Benjamin A, Moriakova A, Akhter N, Rao D, Xie H, Kukreja S, Barengolts E.
Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Medical Center, MC 640, 1819 West Polk Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
SUMMARY: Among 307 males seen in VA Medical Center, independent determinants (p < 0.01 for all) of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels included race, vitamin D supplements, BMI, dietary calcium intake and smoking, but not age. Negative association between 25(OH)D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) was similar for Caucasian and African-American men. INTRODUCTION: In this prospective cohort study, we examined determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and the relationship between 25(OH)D and PTH levels and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Male veterans (n = 307) were recruited at a VA Medical Center. Serum levels of PTH and 25(OH)D were obtained. Surveys and chart reviews were completed. Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as 25(OH)D <30 ng/ml. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. 
RESULTS: Among 232 African-American (AA) men (mean +/- SD), 25(OH)D level (21.4 +/- 10.4 ng/ml) was lower and prevalence of insufficiency (80%) was higher than among 75 Caucasians (C; 28.5 +/- 11.1 ng/ml and 53%, respectively, p < 0.01 for both). In multivariate regression analysis, independent determinants (p < 0.01 for all) of 25(OH)D levels included AA race, vitamin D supplements, BMI, dietary calcium intake, and smoking. Despite lower 25(OH)D levels in African-Americans, PTH levels were similar to those seen in Caucasians. There was a significant (p < 0.02) negative linear association between 25(OH)D and PTH in African-American (r(2) = 0.05) and Caucasian (r(2) = 0.08) men, and there was no difference between the slopes of the relationship. 
CONCLUSIONS: 25(OH)D levels are determined by modifiable risk factors such as vitamin D supplementation in both AA and C males. The negative association between 25(OH)D and PTH is similar between the two races.

PMID: 19280273 [PubMed - in process]