Analysis of Serum Vitamin D3 and Calcium Levels with Bone Mineral Density Measurement to Assess Osteoporosis in the Human Body

This cross-sectional study examined the correlation between serum vitamin-D3 level and calcium, site specific BMD and BMC as obtained by DEXA in pre-and postmenopausal women from Pakistan. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) 1,25dihydroxyvitamin D3 [ ( OH 2 1,25(OH)2D3], calcium, and DEXA measurements of the femoral neck, lumbar spine (L2-L4), and other areas of the skeleton were measured in 100 adults (39 women, 61 men).

The relationships between serum 25(OH)D3 and BMD were in general inverse at the different sites, most pronounced in women, and the ratio 1,25(OH)2D3/25(OH)D3 correlated with makers of bone turnover. Women presented lower BMD and higher osteoporosis frequency at lumbar and femur sites. For men, however, the correlations were weaker and nonsignificant. The findings imply that sex-specific and site-specific aspects may need to be considered for the evaluation of bone health, and serum levels of vitamin D3 and calcium could be a practical serum marker for predicting the risk of osetoporosis in a clinical setting. Futher long-term longitudinal studies are required to elucidate causal relationships and inform patient-specific treatment strategies.