The association between high plasma homocysteine levels and lower bone mineral density in Slovak women: the impact of vegetarian diet

Background  

A long-term vegetarian diet is generally poor in vitamin B group. The lack of vitamin B₁₂ together with vitamin B₆ and folate deficiency is closely related to homocysteine metabolism. Hyperhomocysteinemia was found to be associated with increased bone turnover markers and increased fracture risk. Thus, hyperhomocysteinemia, vitamin B₁₂ and folate deficiency may be regarded as novel risk factors for micronutrient deficiency-related osteoporosis.     

High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and its association with BMI-for-age among primary school children in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Background  

Deficiencies of micronutrients can affect the growth and development of children. There is increasing evidence of vitamin D deficiency world-wide resulting in nutritional rickets in children and osteoporosis in adulthood. Data on the micronutrient status of children in Malaysia is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric and micronutrient status of primary school children in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.     

Plasma organochlorine concentrations and bone ultrasound measurements: a cross-sectional study in peri-and postmenopausal Inuit women from Greenland

Background  

Inuit women are highly exposed through their traditional seafood based diet to organochlorine compounds, some of them displaying endocrine disrupting properties. We hypothesized that this exposure might be related to bone characteristics that are altered in osteoporosis, because hormone deficiency is a known risk factor for the disease.     

Vitamin D status in relation to postural stability in the elderly

Objectives  

Postural instability (PI) is an important risk factor for falls, especially in the frail older population. In this study, we investigated the impact of vitamin D deficiency on PI in a sample of community dwelling older subjects. Our objective was to determine the potential association between vitamin D deficiency and PI in older fallers.     

Vitamin D inadequacy in Belgian postmenopausal osteoporotic women

Background  

Inadequate serum vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism, increased bone turnover and bone loss, which increase fracture risk. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of inadequate serum 25(OH)D concentrations in postmenopausal Belgian women. Opinions with regard to the definition of vitamin D deficiency and adequate vitamin D status vary widely and there are no clear international agreements on what constitute adequate concentrations of vitamin D.     

Evidence of low vitamin D intakes in the Australian population points to a need for data-driven nutrition policy for improving population vitamin D status

Background

Nearly one in four Australian adults is vitamin D deficient (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations [25(OH)D] < 50 nmol L^–1) and current vitamin D intakes in the Australian population are unknown. Internationally, vitamin D intakes are commonly below recommendations, although estimates generally rely on food composition data that do not include 25(OH)D. We aimed to estimate usual vitamin D intakes in the Australian population.

Methods

Nationally representative food consumption data were collected for Australians aged ≥ 2 years (n = 12,153) as part of the cross-sectional 2011–2013 Australian Health Survey (AHS). New analytical vitamin D food composition data for vitamin D₃, 25(OH)D₃, vitamin D₂ and 25(OH)D₂ were mapped to foods and beverages that were commonly consumed by AHS participants. Usual vitamin D intakes (µg day^–1) by sex and age group were estimated using the National Cancer Institute method.

Results

Assuming a 25(OH)D bioactivity factor of 1, mean daily intakes of vitamin D ranged between 1.84 and 3.25 µg day^–1. Compared to the estimated average requirement of 10 µg day^–1 recommended by the Institute of Medicine, more than 95% of people had inadequate vitamin D intakes. We estimated that no participant exceeded the Institute of Medicine's Upper Level of Intake (63–100 µg day^–1, depending on age group).

Conclusions

Usual vitamin D intakes in Australia are low. This evidence, paired with the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Australia, suggests that data-driven nutrition policy is required to safely increase dietary intakes of vitamin D and improve vitamin D status at the population level.     

The ECOS-16 questionnaire for the evaluation of health related quality of life in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis

Background  

The aim of this study is to validate the questionnaire ECOS-16 (Assessment of health related quality of life in osteoporosis) for the evaluation of health related quality of life (HRQoL) in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis.     

Vitamin B12 deficiency in Australian residential aged care facilities

Objective  

To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency among residential aged care facility residents in southern Tasmania, Australia, and to identify associated risk factors.     

Supplementing alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and vitamin D3 in high fat diet decrease IL-6 production in murine epididymal adipose tissue and 3T3-L1 adipocytes following LPS stimulation

Background  

It is well known that high fat diets (HFDs) induce obesity and an increase in proinflammatory adipokines. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is considered the major inflammatory mediator in obesity. Obesity is associated with a vitamin deficiency, especially of vitamins E and D3. We examined the effects of vitamin D3 and vitamin E supplementation on levels of IL-6 and IL-10 (as a marker of anti-inflammatory cytokines since, a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is maintained) protein expression in adipose tissue of mice provided with an HFD. Additionally, we measured the effects of vitamin E and vitamin D3 treatment on LPS-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes IL-6 and IL-10 secretion.     

The effects of air pollution on vitamin D status in healthy women: A cross sectional study

Background  

Inadequate radiation or insufficient cutaneous absorption of UVB is one of the cardinal causes of vitamin D deficiency. The aim of this study is to determine whether air pollution and low ground level of ultra-violet B light (UVB; 290-315) can deteriorate the body vitamin D status in healthy women.     

Vitamin B12 deficiency induced by the use of gastric acid inhibitors: Calcium supplements as a potential effect modifier

Objective

Use of gastric acid inhibitors has emerged as a risk factor of vitamin B12 deficiency, especially in older adults. Calcium supplements could be an effect modifier of this relationship by its role in the absorption process of vitamin B12. The aim of this study is to examine whether the use of calcium supplements could be an effect modifier of the association between gastric acid inhibitors and vitamin B12 deficiency.

Design

Cross-sectional study based on medical chart reviews.

Setting

Geriatric Assessment Unit (GAU) of a university-affiliated hospital.

Participants

The study included 172 patients discharged from the GAU between 2008 and 2012.

Measurements

Cases of vitamin B12 deficiency were identified as those who had received a diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency, and/or were receiving a treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency. Use of gastric acid inhibitors and calcium supplements at admission was determined from the pharmacist report. Associations between medications and vitamin B12 status were investigated using logistic regression models.

Results

Seventy-one patients (41%) had vitamin B12 deficiency. At admission, 42% were taking gastric acid inhibitors and 45% calcium supplements. After adjustment for covariates, analyses revealed that vitamin B12 deficiency was more likely among users of gastric acid inhibitors who did not concomitantly received calcium supplements [OR=3.12; P=0.01]. Conversely, no significant association was observed in patients using both, gastric acid inhibitors and calcium supplements [OR=1.30; P=0.59].

Conclusions

The present study provides the very first evidence that the use of calcium supplements could be an effect modifier of the association between gastric acid inhibitors and vitamin B12 deficiency. Failure to consider calcium supplements as an effect modifier could have led to biased risk estimates in previous published studies.

     

There is a positive association between vitamin B12 deficiency and serum total cholesterol in Iranian type 2 diabetic patients on Metformin

Introduction

Considering the low level of vitamin B₁₂ in diabetic patients on Metformin and also the importance of this vitamin in lipid metabolism, the aim of the present study was assessing the possible relationship between vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, lipid profile and atherogenic indices in Iranian diabetic patients.

Association between mortality from suicide in England and antidepressant prescribing: an ecological study

Background

There are multiple studies in different countries regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. These studies showed high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Asian countries. This study tries to elucidate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its influencing factors in population of Tehran.

Methods

1210 subjects 20–64 years old were randomly selected. 25 (OH) D serum levels were measured. Duration of exposure to sunlight, the type of clothing and level of calcium intake and BMI were quantified based on a questionnaire.

Results

A high percentage of vitamin D deficiency was defined in the study population. Prevalence of severe, moderate and mild Vitamin D deficiency was 9.5%, 57.6% and 14.2% respectively. Vitamin D serum levels had no significant statistical relation with the duration of exposure to sunlight, kind of clothing and BMI. Calcium intake in the normal vitamin D group was significantly higher than the other groups (714.67 ± 330.8 mg/day vs 503.39 ± 303.1, 577.93 ± 304.9,595.84 ± 313.6). Vitamin D serum levels in young and middle aged females were significantly lower than the older group.

Conclusions

Vitamin D deficiency has a high prevalence in Tehran. In order to avoid complications of vitamin D deficiency, supplemental dietary intake seems essential.     

Seasonal variance of 25-(OH) vitamin D in the general population of Estonia, a Northern European country

Background  

Vitamin D has a wide variety of physiological functions in the human body. There is increasing evidence that low serum levels of this vitamin have an important role in the pathogenesis of different skeletal and extra-skeletal diseases. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is common at northern latitudes. There are few population-based studies in the northern European region looking at the issue in a wider age group. We aimed to measure Vitamin D level in the general population of Estonia (latitude 59°N), a North-European country where dairy products are not fortified with vitamin D.     

Vitamin B12 deficiency in African American and white octogenarians and centenarians in Georgia

Objective

Test the hypotheses that vitamin B12 deficiency would be prevalent in octogenarians and centenarians and associated with age, gender, race/ethnicity, living arrangements (community or skilled nursing facility), animal food intake, B-vitamin supplement use, atrophic gastritis, folate status, and hematological indicators.

Design

Population-based multi-ethnic sample of adults aged 80 to 89 and 98 and above.

Setting

Northern Georgia in the United States.

Participants

Men and women aged 80 to 89 (octogenarians, n = 80) and 98 and older (centenarians, n = 231).

Measurements

Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Fisher℉s exact tests, and logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations of vitamin B12 status with the variables of interest.

Results

After excluding participants receiving vitamin B12 injections (n = 17), the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was higher in centenarians than in octogenarians (35.3% vs. 22.8%, p < 0.05, defined as plasma vitamin B12 < 258 pmol/L and serum methylmalonic acid > 271 nmol/L and methylmalonic acid > serum 2-methylcitrate) and in both age groups was correlated with significantly higher homocysteine (p < 0.05) and lower plasma and red cell folate (p < 0.01), but was not related to hemoglobin, anemia, mean cell volume, or macrocytosis. In logistic regression analysis, the probability of being vitamin B12-deficient was significantly increased by being a centenarian vs. octogenarian (p < 0.03), by being white vs. African American (p < 0.02), by increasing severity of atrophic gastritis (p < 0.001), and by not taking oral B-vitamin supplements (p < 0.01), but was not related to gender, living arrangements, or animal food intake.

Conclusions

Centenarians and octogenarians are at high risk for vitamin B12 deficiency for many of the same reasons identified in other older adult populations. Given the numerous potential adverse consequences of poor vitamin B12 status, efforts are needed to ensure vitamin B12 adequacy in these older adults.     

An assessment of the likely acceptability of vaginal microbicides for HIV prevention among women in rural Ghana

Background

The findings of the CAPRISA tenofovir studies have raised expectations that soon an approved microbicide would be available. However it is in only a limited number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa that the acceptability of microbicides has been evaluated. We conducted a study to assess the acceptability of vaginal microbicides among women in rural Ghana.

Methods

The study employs a mixed method design, using cross-sectional survey and focus group discussions to further understand issues related to awareness and attitudes towards microbicide development, acceptability and perceived partner attitudes among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in two health facilities in the Kintampo North municipality of Ghana. We used logistic regression to identify possible predictors of microbicide acceptability among the women surveyed.

Results

Although only 2% of the 504 women were aware of the development of microbicides, 95% were willing to use one when it became available. The cost of a microbicide that will be considered affordable to 50% of women was US

Background

Hypovitaminosis D is associated to accentuated bone loss. However, association between osteoporotic vertebral fractures (VFs) and vitamin D status has not been clearly established.

Objective

To determine serum vitamin D status and to assess the association of vitamin D status with bone mineral density (BMD) and asymptomatic VFs prevalence using vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) in a cohort of Moroccan menopausal women.

Methods

from June to September 2010, 178 menopausal women 50?years old and over were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The mean?±?SD (range) age, weight, height and BMI were 58.8?±?8.2 (50 to 79) years, 73.2?±?13.8 (35 to 119) Kgs, 1.56?±?0.06 (1.43 ?C 1.79) m and 29.8?±?5.9 (17.5 ?C 49.8) kg/m², respectively. VFA images and scans of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were obtained using a GE Healthcare Lunar Prodigy densitometer. VFs were defined using a combination of Genant semiquantitative approach and morphometry. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were measured.

Results

Among the 178 women, 45 (25.2%) had densitometric osteoporosis, and on VFA, VFs (grade 2 or 3) were detected in 20.2% while grade 1 were identified in 33.1%. The mean values of serum levels of 25(OH)D were 15.8?±?11.6?ng/ml (range: 3.0 ?C 49.1) with 152 patients (85.3%) having levels <30?ng/ml (insufficiency) and 92 (51.6%) <10?ng/ml (deficiency). Stepwise regression analysis showed that presence of VFs was independently related to age, 25(OH)D and densitometric osteoporosis.

Conclusion

our study shows that advanced age, hypovitaminosis D and osteoporosis are independent risk factors for asymptomatic VFs in Moroccan postmenopausal women.     

Relationship between spine osteoarthritis,bone mineral density and bone turn over markers in post menopausal women

Background  

Several studies have observed an inverse relationship between osteoporosis and spinal osteoarthritis, the latter being considered as possibly delaying the development of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to determine the association between individual radiographic features of spine degeneration, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone-turn over markers.     

绝经后女性良性阵发性位置眩晕患者血清钙离子、维生素D及骨转换代谢指标研究

目的探讨绝经后女性良性阵发性位置性眩晕(BPPV)患者血清钙离子、维生素D以及骨转换代谢相关指标的关系。方法选取2016年5月-2019年6月本院收治的绝经后BPPV患者180例为研究对象,依据骨密度分为正常骨密度组(47例)、骨密度减少组(54例)和骨质疏松组(79例),选择同期60例骨质疏松症(无眩晕)患者作为对照组,回顾分析各组间维生素D、血钙离子及骨转换代谢相关指标。结果骨质疏松组维生素D水平明显低于其他3组,尿脱氧吡啶啉(u-DPD)明显高于其他3组,骨钙蛋白明显高于正常骨密度组和骨密度减少组,差异均有统计学意义(P <0.05);多元回归分析显示骨质疏松与血清维生素D缺乏症是BPPV发生的危险因素(OR值分别为2.804、2.003,P <0.05)。结论骨质疏松、维生素D缺乏以及骨转换代谢指标与绝经后BPPV有关,临床需予以高度重视。     

Impact of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures on quality-of-life. a population-based study in Valencia,Spain (The FRAVO Study)

Background  

To describe the health related quality of life in a population sample of postmenopausal women over the age of 50 and resident in the city of Valencia (Spain), according to the presence/absence of osteoporosis and the severity of prevalent morphometric vertebral fractures.