BMC Endocrine Disorders
Volume 7, 2007

Pakistanis living in Oslo have lower serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels but higher serum ionized calcium levels compared with ethnic Norwegians. The Oslo Health Study (Article) (Open Access)

Holvik K.* , Meyer H.E. , Søgaard A. , Haug E. , Falch J.A.
  • a Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1130 Blindern, NO-0318 Oslo, Norway
  • b Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1130 Blindern, NO-0318 Oslo, Norway, Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
  • c Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1130 Blindern, NO-0318 Oslo, Norway, Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
  • d Center of Endocrinology, Aker University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • e Center of Endocrinology, Aker University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Abstract

Background: Persons of Pakistani origin living in Oslo have a much higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism but similar bone mineral density compared with ethnic Norwegians. Our objective was to investigate whether Pakistani immigrants living in Oslo have an altered vitamin D metabolism by means of compensatory higher serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (s-1,25(OH)2D) compared with ethnic Norwegians; and whether serum levels of ionized calcium (s-Ca2+) differ between Pakistanis and Norwegians. Methods: In a cross-sectional, population-based study venous serum samples were drawn from 94 Pakistani men and 67 Pakistani women aged 30-60 years, and 290 Norwegian men and 270 Norwegian women aged 45-60 years; in total 721 subjects. Results: Pakistanis had lower s-1,25(OH)2D compared with Norwegians (p < 0.001). Age- and gender adjusted mean (95% CI) levels were 93 (86, 99) pmol/l in Pakistanis and 123 (120, 126) pmol/l in Norwegians, p < 0.001. The difference persisted after controlling for body mass index. There was a positive relation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) and s-1,25(OH)2D in both groups. S-Ca2+ was higher in Pakistanis; age-adjusted mean (95% CI) levels were 1.28 (1.27, 1.28) mmol/l in Pakistanis and 1.26 (1.26, 1.26) mmol/l in Norwegians, p < 0.001. In both groups, s-Ca2+ was inversely correlated to serum intact parathyroid hormone levels (s-iPTH). For any s-iPTH, s-Ca2+ was higher in Pakistanis, also when controlling for age. Conclusion: Community-dwelling Pakistanis in Oslo with low vitamin D status and secondary hyperparathyroidism have lower s-1,25(OH)2D compared with ethnic Norwegians. However, the Pakistanis have higher s-Ca2+. The cause of the higher s-Ca2+ in Pakistanis in spite of their higher iPTH remains unclear. © 2007 Holvik et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Pakistan calcitriol calcium ion Norway vitamin blood level correlation analysis human sex difference controlled study parathyroid hormone ethnic difference calcium blood level 25 hydroxyvitamin D male female population research prevalence Article major clinical study adult age distribution body mass secondary hyperparathyroidism parathyroid hormone blood level
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-39049138427&doi=10.1186%2f1472-6823-7-9&partnerID=40&md5=7251eb50b7674d665b3e6f4d7b063935
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6823-7-9
ISSN: 14726823
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English