ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Scarcity of data found in regard to association of vitamin D level with bone mineral density (BMD). Our study aimed to determine the correlation of vitamin D with BMD and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) among healthy Malay adult. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 126 healthy Malay volunteers (aged 21–45 years old) from Kota Bharu, Malaysia. Serum total calcium, albumin, phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), and iPTH were measured. BMD was assessed with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan over left hip (right hip in case of problem with left hip) and lumbar spine (L1 – L4 vertebrae). Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D was 38.91 ± 14.07 nmol/L. Out of 126 study subjects, 104 subjects (82.5%) had insufficient level of vitamin D (< 50 nmol/L). Mean hip and lumbar BMD were 0.952 ± 0.145 g/cm2 and 1.006 ± 0.133 g/cm2 respectively. According to T-score, 93 subjects (73.8%) had normal T-score of ≥ -1, 33 subjects (26.2%) had osteopenia (T-score -2.5 to -1) and none had osteoporosis (T-score ≤ -2.5). Significant positive correlation between serum 25(OH)D and hip BMD (r = 0.234, p = 0.009) was observed, but no correlation was found between serum 25(OH)D and lumbar BMD. Meanwhile, significant inverse correlation between serum 25(OH)D and iPTH was observed (r = -0.324, p < 0.001). Conclusion: High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was observed among healthy Malay population, but majority had normal bone density. Nonetheless, serum 25(OH)D was positively correlated with BMD and inversely correlated with iPTH. Our findings support the role of vitamin D for maintaining bone health.