Association between vitamin D and bone mineral density in Iranian postmenopausal women

The role of vitamin-D in determining bone mineral density (BMD), especially in less severe vitamin D deficiency, is still unclear. To investigate the possible association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and BMD, 245 healthy free-living postmenopausal women, aged between 40 and 80, were randomly selected from participants of a population-based study. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and hip by dual X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar DPXMD 7164). Serum 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorus, total and bone alkaline phosphatases, and urine deoxypyridinoline were measured. PTH was logarithmically transformed (LnPTH). Linear regression models were developed to determine the association between serum 25(OH)D and BMD at different sites. Means of age and duration of menopause were 57.7 +/- 7 and 9.4 +/- 6.8 years, respectively. Mean 25(OH)D was 73.0 +/- 62.3 nmol/l; 5.3% (n = 13) had 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l and 37.6% (n = 92) had 25(OH)D between 25 and 50 nmol/l. Eleven percent of the women (n = 27) were osteoporotic in femoral neck and 25.3% of them (n = 62) were osteoporotic in lumbar spine sites. 25(OH)D correlated inversely with LnPTH (r = -0.25, P < 0.01). In the multivariate analyses, no association was found between 25(OH)D and BMD at any of the skeletal sites after adjusting for age, duration of menopause, body mass index, calcium, and LnPTH. However, BMD was associated inversely with LnPTH only in femoral neck but not in the other sites. This study did not show any association between 25(OH)D and BMD in free-living Iranian postmenopausal women.     

2型糖尿病患者血清25-经维生素D水平与骨密度的关系

目的 探讨2型糖尿病患者不同血清25-( OH) D水平与骨密度的关系。方法 选择住院的2型糖尿病患者288例,根据25-( OH) D水平对其进行分组：25-( OH) D>30ng/mL为维生素D充足组;20ng/mL <25-( OH ) D≤30 ng/mL为维生素D不足组;l0 ng/mL <25-( OH) D <20 ng/mL为维生素D缺乏组;25-( OH) D <10ng/mL为维生素D严重缺乏组。采用双能X线骨密度仪(DXA)测量受试者腰椎L1-4、股骨颈及全髓的骨密度。分析不同水平25-( OH ) D与骨密度的关系。结果 维生素D充足组、维生素D不足组、维生素D缺乏组、维生素D严重缺乏组的患者例数(所占比例)分别为10例(3. 5%) ,74例(25.7%) ,177例(61.5%) ,27例(9.3%)。不同性别组25-( OH ) D水平无明显差异,但是女性患者的腰椎L1-4、股骨颈、全髋的骨密度均较男性低。pearscm相关分析显示25-( OH) D水平与腰椎L1-4、股骨颈、全髓的骨密度均无相关性(分别为r=0.080 P=0.262;r=0. 139 P=0. 051;r=0.068 P=0. 342)。结论 2型糖尿病患者25-( OH) D水平与腰椎L1-4、股骨颈、全髓的骨密度均无明显相关性。     

中老年女性血清25羟维生素D水平与骨密度、体质量指数的调查研究

目的调查深圳市中老年女性人群血清25羟维生素D水平、骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)和体质量指数(body mass index,BMI)并探讨其相关性,为骨质疏松症(osteoporosis,OP)的防治提供相应的依据。方法收集2018年10月至2019年2月于深圳平乐骨伤科医院(坪山区中医院)参与调查的中老年女性212例[年龄50～84岁,平均(60. 1±7. 8)岁],测量受试者的身高、体重,计算BMI,根据BMI分成体重过低组(6例)、正常体重组(112例)和超重组(94例),分别测量各组骨密度和血清25羟维生素D水平。采用Spearman相关分析观察指标间的相关性。结果体重过低组、正常体重组和超重组三组的OP患病率依次为:83. 3%、58. 0%和57. 4%,三组的差异不具有统计学意义(P0. 05)。正常体重组的25羟维生素D与BMD、BMI均不存在相关关系(P0. 05),BMD与年龄的关系呈负相关,与身高、体重均呈正相关(P0. 05),但是与BMI之间则不存在相关性(P0. 05)。在超重组中,25羟维生素D与BMI呈负相关,BMD与年龄呈负相关,与身高呈正相关(P0. 05),但是与体重、BMI之间的相关性无统计学意义(P0. 05)。结论在BMI正常范围内,高体重是OP的保护因素,而超重时则不存在此关系。且超重对中老年女性的血清25羟维生素D水平可产生负面影响。过重的体重可能不利于OP的防治,中老年女性应控制体重在正常范围内。     

Relations between calcidiol serum levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with low bone density

The relationship between vitamin D and bone density was studied in 150 selected, mature (45–74), postmenopausal women with a lumbar spine Z score below 0. Vitamin D status was evaluated using calcidiol serum levels. Serum calcitriol and parathyroid hormone (PTH) values were also evaluated in some subjects. Bone mass was evaluated by ascertaining bone density and Z and T scores in the lumbar spine and femur region. The reference group consisted of 25 premenopausal women. The postmenopausal group was divided into subgroups according to age, i.e., under or over 60 years old. Additionally, the whole group was also subdivided according to their lumbar spine Z scores into group I (Z>-1), group II (Z<-1; >-2), and group III (Z<-2). Group III of postmenopausal women had higher PTH and lower calcitriol levels than premenopausal women. Calcidiol serum levels were lower in postmenopausal women groups II or III than in the group I and premenopausal women. Calcidiol serum levels and the bone mass values for the lumbar spine were correlated positively in all the postmenopausal women; in the women over 60 years of age, calcidiol levels also correlated with the bone mass values expressed as the bone density in three femur regions: femoral neck, trocanter, and Ward's triangle. In conclusion, mature postmenopausal woman showed high PTH levels and low calcidiol and calcitriol values. Calcidiol status is significantly related to bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and in women over 60 years, calcidiol levels also correlated with bone density in the femur regions.     

广州天河社区绝经后妇女血清25羟维生素D水平与骨密度的相关性分析

目的调查广州天河区绝经后妇女维生素D水平及其与骨密度的关系。方法随机选取2015年4月至2015年8月在广州市天河区前进街社区卫生服务中心体检的109名绝经后妇女,年龄49~75岁。检测血清25(OH)D水平,分析血清25(OH)D水平与骨转换指标和骨密度(BMD)的相关性。结果 25.7%的受试者血清25(OH)D水平≥75 nmol/L,41.3%在50~75 nmol/L之间,33.0%低于50 nmol/L。双变量分析显示血清25(OH)D水平与血清PINP、β-CTX水平无相关性。股骨颈BMD与血清25(OH)D正相关(r=0.373,P=0.030),校正年龄和体重指数(BMI)后,相关性仍存在(r=0.174,P=0.049)。多元回归分析显示年龄、BMI、25(OH)D是股骨颈BMD的预测因子(R2=0.325)。结论绝经后女性广泛存在血清25(OH)D不足或缺乏,血清25(OH)D水平与股骨颈BMD正相关,适当补充维生素D对维持股骨颈区域的骨量至关重要。     

未绝经女性甲亢患者血25羟维生素D水平与骨密度的关系

目的 观察未绝经女性甲亢患者骨密度及血钙、血磷、血碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、血浆25羟维生素D[25(OH)D]、血浆甲状旁腺激素（PTH）水平变化,分析未绝经女性甲亢患者血浆25(OH)D与骨密度的关系。方法 选取50例初发或复发的未绝经女性甲亢患者,51例正常对照人群,应用双能X线吸收仪（DXA）测定腰椎1-4、股骨颈、股骨大转子、Ward三角和全股骨的骨密度,电化学发光法测定血浆25(OH)D和PTH,生化法测定血钙、磷、ALP。结果 甲亢组L1、Ward三角骨密度均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义。与对照组相比,甲亢组血钙、血ALP、血浆25(OH)D水平升高,血浆PTH降低,差异均有统计学意义。甲亢组维生素D缺乏17例(34%) , 不足19例(38%) , 充足14例(28%)。对照组维生素D缺乏30例(59%) , 不足18例(35%), 充足3例(6%)。相关分析示,两组血浆25（OH）D与L1、L2、L3、L4、L1-4、股骨颈、股骨大转子、Ward三角、全股骨骨密度均无相关性。Pearson相关分析示,甲亢组血浆25(OH)D与PTH呈负相关（r=-0.378,P<0.01）。结论 未绝经女性甲亢患者L1、Ward三角骨密度降低。未绝经女性甲亢患者血浆25(OH)D升高,可能与高血钙、PTH分泌抑制、高血磷导致1-α-羟化酶活性降低有关。未绝经女性甲亢患者血浆25(OH)D水平与骨密度无直接关系。     

血清催产素浓度与绝经后女性骨密度相关性研究

目的探讨催产素与绝经后妇女骨代谢指标以及腰椎和髋部骨密度之间相关性。方法检测185例骨密度正常和132例患骨质疏松症女性的血清催产素、瘦素、雌激素和骨代谢指标浓度。腰椎和股骨颈的BMD通过双能X线吸收法测量。结果患骨质疏松症女性的血清催产素浓度低于骨密度正常的女性(P0.05)。骨质疏松症组中血清催产素浓度与年龄、绝经年限、体质量指数(body mass index,BMI)和血清PINP、BLAP和CTX浓度呈负相关;与瘦素和雌激素具有明显正相关性;在正常骨密度组中,血清催产素浓度和各种指标未发现明显的相关性。调整年龄和BMI后,腰椎和股骨颈骨密度仍然与绝经年限以及血清PINP、BLAP和CTX浓度呈负相关,与雌激素、瘦素和催产素浓度呈正相关。对年龄和BMI进行调整后,进行多元回归分析显示绝经年限、血清催产素、PINP和CTX是腰椎和股骨颈骨密度的显著预测因子。结论绝经后女性患者较高的血清催产素水平与较高的腰椎和股骨颈骨密度有关。     

血清维生素E水平与绝经后早期女性骨密度相关性研究

目的评估绝经后早期妇女维生素E水平与骨质疏松症之间的关系。方法收集人体测量数据,骨质疏松症的危险因素,维生素E血清水平,和其他可能影响绝经后妇女骨密度的血清参数。通过多变量逻辑回归和多元线性回归分析232名绝经后早期女性骨质疏松症与年龄、绝经年龄、体质量指数、骨钙素、钙、维生素D和维生素E(分别以25羟维生素D和α-生育酚:脂质比率测定)、骨碱性磷酸酶、吸烟状况、体力活动和饮酒量之间的关系。结果在多变量逻辑回归中,较低的维生素E:脂质比率与骨质疏松症相关。在腰椎BMD作为因变量的多变量线性模型中,维生素E:脂质比率与腰椎BMD明显相关(F比率=6. 28,P=0. 001)。腰椎的BMD在维生素E:脂质比率的最高三分位数中显著高于最低三分位数。使用多变量调整的BMD后,绝经后女性(3. 1±0. 5μmol/mmol)的绝经后女性(3. 6±0. 6μmol/mmol)的平均维生素E:脂质比率显着低于正常(无骨质疏松症和骨质减少)。结论本研究表明维生素E可能会增加健康绝经后妇女的骨密度。     

血清神经肽Y水平与绝经后妇女骨密度相关性研究

目的探讨血清神经肽Y(NPY)水平与绝经后妇女骨密度(BMD)的相关性。方法纳入在我院门诊就诊的绝经后妇女。测量血清钙、磷、白蛋白、甲状旁腺激素(parathyroid hormone,PTH)、促甲状腺激素(thyrotropin,TSH)、25-OH维生素D和NPY浓度。根据骨密度检测结果将受试者分为3组,分别为BMD值:正常(n=66)、骨量减少(n=63)和骨质疏松症(n=63)。根据血清NPY水平,受试者也被分为3组:低NPY(n=30)、正常NPY(n=126)和高NPY(n=36)。结果骨密度正常、骨质疏松、骨质疏松症患者血清NPY、PTH和年龄水平差异有显著统计学意义(P<0.05)。对于不同的NPY水平,各组腰椎、股骨总、股骨颈、转子、股骨转子间和Ward’s三角BMD值有显著差异(P<0.05)。相关性分析显示血清NPY水平与患者年龄、BMI呈现显著正相关(P<0.05),与不同部位的BMD值之间均有显著负相关性(P<0.05)。结论血清NPY水平与患者年龄、体重指数或任何部位测量的BMD值之间有相关性。     

Weight-training effects on bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women.

We tested the hypothesis that weight training would be an effective modality in maintaining or increasing bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and bone mineral content (BMC) at the distal wrist in early postmenopausal women. A total of 17 women completed a 9 month weight-training program, and 9 women served as a control group. Resistance training occurred three times per week using exercises designed to increase muscular strength. Mean change in lumbar BMD in the weight-trained group (1.6 +/- 1.2%, mean +/- SEM) was significantly different from the change in the control group (-3.6 +/- 1.5%, p less than 0.01) over the 9 month period. No significant weight-training effect was detected at the femoral neck or distal wrist site. We conclude that weight training may be a useful exercise modality for maintaining lumbar BMD in early postmenopausal women.     

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone mineral density among Hispanic men

Summary  There are few data on the skeletal health of Hispanic men. We observed differences in vitamin D deficiency and low BMD between Hispanic ethnic subgroups that persisted with adjustment for risk factors. Our data indicate a substantial burden of low BMD and vitamin D deficiency among Hispanic men. Introduction  Disparities within ethnic groups are generally ignored, but in evolving populations they may have implications for public health. We examined ethnic variation in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and bone mineral density (BMD) among Hispanic American men. Methods  Three hundred and fifty-eight Hispanic males 30 to 79 years of age were studied. Logistic regression models assessed variation in odds of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) and low BMD (T-score<−1) by ethnicity, with and without adjustment for risk factors (age, smoking, occupation, physical activity, body mass index, and sunlight exposure). Results  Vitamin D deficiency was most common among Puerto Rican (26%), compared with Dominican (21%), Central American (11%), and South American (9%) men. Percentages with low BMD were: South American (44%), Puerto Rican (34%), Dominican (29%), and Central American (23%). Adjustment for age and risk factors failed to account for Hispanic subgroup differences in vitamin D deficiency and low BMD. Population estimates indicate a substantial burden of low BMD and vitamin D deficiency among Hispanic men. Conclusions  Our findings underscore the importance of examining the skeletal health of Hispanic subgroups, and suggest that a considerable number of Hispanic men may be at elevated risk of fracture and vitamin D deficiency. Grant Support: The BACH/Bone Survey was supported by grant AG 20727 from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). The parent study (BACH) was supported by grant DK 56842 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Additional support from MO RR00533.     

血清维生素K1水平与绝经后女性腰椎骨密度相关性分析

目的探讨绝经后女性骨密度与血清维生素K1水平之间的相关性。方法使用标准化的酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)试剂盒测量46例绝经后骨质疏松女性和30名绝经后健康对照女性的血清维生素K1水平。检测腰椎(1～4)的骨密度(bone mineral density, BMD)。结果绝经后骨质疏松女性组血清维生素K1水平明显低于正常对照组(P0.05),绝经后骨质疏松女性血清维生素K1浓度与腰椎BMD呈正相关(R=0.545,P=0.003);绝经后正常对照组血清维生素K1浓度与腰椎BMD呈正相关(R=0.513,P=0.009)。维生素K1对骨质疏松症的诊断敏感性和特异性分别为91%和98%(截止值:0.853 ng/mL);维生素K1的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)为0.985,奇数比为18.88。结论维生素K1与诊断绝经后骨质疏松症呈负相关。     

血清镁浓度与绝经后妇女骨质疏松症的关系探讨

目的探讨绝经后妇女血清镁浓度与骨密度的关系。方法随机选取在2005年9月至2006年8月骨质疏松门诊绝经后妇女患者379例,检测患者的血清镁、钙、磷浓度及甲状旁腺激素(PTH),测身高、体重、计算体重指数(BMI=体重/身高2)。双能X线吸收法分别测定患者腰椎L1~L4骨密度,按WHO标准,根据骨密度分为骨质疏松组、骨量减少组和骨量正常组。统计分析采用SPSS 13.0for Windows软件。结果进入本数据统计者,骨质疏松组113例,骨量减少组190例,骨量正常组76例。3组血清镁浓度分别为0.740±0.122 mmol.L-1、0.738±0.121 mmol.L-1和0.744±0.099mmol.L-1,组间差异无显著性(P=0.97)。3组间血清钙、磷浓度及PTH值差异均无显著性。协方差分析仍显示各组间血清镁差异无显著性,年龄和BMI对组间血清镁差异无影响,而血清钙对血清镁有影响(F=8.352,P=0.004)。Pearson相关分析显示血清镁浓度与钙浓度呈正相关(r=0.283,P<0.01);与PTH值呈负相关(r=-0.177,P=0.029);与磷浓度也呈负相关(r=-0.194,P=0.018);但与绝经后妇女骨密度无相关性(r=-0.020,P=0.794)。结论绝经后妇女血清镁浓度在骨质疏松组与非骨质疏松组之间无差异。PTH在维持绝经后妇女血清镁、钙、磷浓度稳定中可能起重要作用。对绝经后妇女补镁的必要性及如何评估机体缺镁有待进一步研究。     

Omentin-1, visfatin and adiponectin levels in relation to bone mineral density in Iranian postmenopausal women

The bone and fat interface is implicated in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The association between circulating omentin-1 levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women has never been assessed. A total of 382 healthy postmenopausal women were randomly selected. Omentin-1, visfatin, adiponectin, the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, degradation products of C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, and osteocalcin were measured by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. BMD was determined for the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the proximal femur using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In multivariable-adjusted linear regression, serum omentin-1 levels were inversely correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine (β=-0.11, p=0.020). In multiple regression analyses, serum visfatin and adiponectin levels were not significantly correlated with BMD at different skeletal sites after controlling for age, body mass index, and bone-related markers. However, the highest quartile of adiponectin compared to the lowest quartile, after adjusting for potential confounders, revealed an inverse association with BMD in the lumbar spine (β=-0.19, p=0.010). In conclusion, circulating omentin-1 levels had an inverse correlation with BMD at the lumbar spine in Iranian postmenopausal women. To further understand the role of omentin-1 in bone and mineral metabolism, large-scale longitudinal studies focusing on BMD and osteoporotic fractures are warranted.     

绝经后女性骨密度与维生素D和高密度脂蛋白水平相关性研究

目的探索绝经后妇女血清维生素D水平与高密度脂蛋白(high-density lipoprotein,HDL)和骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)之间的关系。方法 2015年1月至2018年2月在我院病房及门诊就诊的244名绝经后妇女参加了这项横断面研究,她们都没有服用骨质疏松药物,也没有患任何慢性疾病。采用双能X射线吸收测定法用于评估髋部、股骨颈和腰椎(L_(1～4))的BMD。每个人根据世界卫生组织骨质疏松症标准在至少一个骨骼区域进行分类。在数据收集结束时,测量所有参与者的血脂谱和维生素D水平。维生素D血清水平低于30 ng/mL被定义为维生素D缺乏或不足。结果 27.9%的参与者表现出骨质疏松症。骨质疏松患者的HDL血清水平更高(P0.05)。参与者的低密度脂蛋白、总甘油三酯和总胆固醇水平差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。在未调整年龄、绝经年龄、肥胖和使用抗高血脂药物(他汀类药物)后,HDL水平与腰椎(1～4)、髋部和股骨颈的BMD值和T评分呈显著负相关(P0.05)。在根据维生素D水平对参与者进行分类以及调整混杂因素之后,仅在维生素D缺乏或不足的参与者中观察到HDL水平与三部位的BMD值以及T评分之间呈显著负相关(P0.05)。结论在维生素D缺乏的绝经后妇女中,血清HDL水平与骨骼状态呈负相关。     

绝经后妇女血清催乳素水平与骨代谢指标及骨密度相关性研究

目的评价绝经后妇女血清催乳素水平与骨代谢指标及骨密度相关性。方法 161名健康的绝经后妇女参加了该横断面研究。获得空腹静脉血样用于骨代谢指标和激素水平的评估。人体测量参数包括体重指数(BMI)和腰臀比(WHR)。使用DXA检测股骨颈(FN)和腰椎(LS)部位的BMD。结果本研究共纳入161名绝经后妇女,平均年龄(59.7±6.1)岁,平均绝经时间为(8.0±1.3)岁,血清催乳素为(54.98±6.15)μg/L; Spearman相关分析卵巢体积与年龄、YSM、FSH、PTH、LH、OC和CTX呈正相关; BMI、LS BMD、FN BMD、雌二醇、睾酮和25羟基维生素D呈负相关,与其他混杂因素无关。多元回归分析表明年龄、BMI、YSM、LS BMD、FN BMD、FSH、LH、雌二醇、OC和CTX是绝经后妇女催乳素升高的独立预测因子。结论绝经后妇女催乳素升高和雌激素水平降低、骨密度下降和骨转换加速密切相关。     

Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D were measured in a group of women with symptomatic postmenopausal osteoporosis, assessed by bone biopsy. A competitive protein binding assay was used, which included a chromatographic step. Accurate surveys of dietary or therapeutic vitamin D intake and light environment were obtained in each patient. Women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis were found to have significantly (P less than 0.001) higher serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D than age-matched normal women, the mean values being 27.5 ng/ml (+/- 13.6 SD) and 9.2 ng/ml (+/-5.7), respectively. The authors hypothesize that the reduction in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, recently reported in postmenopausal osteoporotic women, might be responsible for the increased serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D through an inadequate product inhibition of liver vitamin D 25-hydroxylase.     

Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Summary Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured in a group of women with symptomatic postmenopausal osteoporosis, assessed by bone biopsy. A competitive protein binding assay was used, which included a chromatographic step. Accurate surveys of dietary or therapeutic vitamin D intake and light environment were obtained in each patient. Women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis were found to have significantly (P<0.001) higher serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D than age-matched normal women, the mean values being 27.5 ng/ml (±13.6 SD) and 8.2 ng/ml (±5.7), respectively. The authors hypothesize that the reduction in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, recently reported in postmenopausal osteoporotic women, might be responsible for the increased serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D through an inadequate product inhibition of liver vitamin D 25-hydroxylase.     

绝经后妇女肥胖与骨密度的关系

目的 分析绝经后妇女的腰椎2-4( L2-4)和股骨颈（Neck)、大转子(Troch)、粗隆间（InterTro)的骨密度（BMD),探讨绝经后妇女肥胖与骨密度的关系。方法 以我院269名年龄45 -75岁的绝经后妇女为研究对象,计算体重指数将研究对象分为肥胖组和对照组,采用双能X线骨密度仪检测腰椎、股骨颈、大转子、粗隆间的骨密度,分析绝经后妇女肥胖与骨密度的关 系。结果 肥胖组绝经后妇女不同部位的骨密度均高于对照组(P <0.05或P <0. 01)。绝经后妇女各部位的骨密度随年龄的增长而降低,各年龄组间的骨密度有显著性差异(P <0.05或P <0. 01)。结论 年龄和体重指数是影响骨密度的重要因素,绝经后妇女肥胖者骨密度较正常体型者高,肥胖者可能通过负重等作用,延缓绝经后妇女骨密度的下降。     

25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in healthy premenopausal women: Association with bone turnover markers and bone mineral density

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is very common in elderly people while there are very few reports on its incidence, determinants and metabolic consequences in young subjects.ResultsIn 608 young healthy premenopausal women participating in the BONTURNO study, levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] below 20 ng/ml were found in almost a third of the women. Its levels were inversely (P < 0.001) related with age and body mass index (BMI kg/m²) and directly with sunlight exposure during the summer time, and latitude: i.e. the higher the latitude over Italy, the higher the 25(OH)D level. In women on contraceptive pill the mean 25(OH)D level was significantly increased even when the data were adjusted for age, BMI and sun exposure.25(OH)D levels, adjusted for age and BMI, were significantly and positively related with serum C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen, serum phosphate and spine bone mineral density (BMD) and negatively with serum PTH, serum magnesium, serum bone alkaline phosphatase (bone AP).ConclusionVitamin D deficiency is rather common in young otherwise healthy Italian women and particularly among those living in the Southern part of the country. The most close determinants of vitamin D deficiency were BMI and sunlight exposure. Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with low spine BMD and increased bone AP even in young individuals.