ARE ELDERLY ASIANS IN BRITAIN AT A HIGH-RISK OF VITAMIN-D DEFICIENCY AND OSTEOMALACIA

Many studies have shown the indigenous elderly population and Asian im migrants to be groups at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency and o steomalacia, but there are no data on the risks in elderly Asians. In this community-based study a group of elderly Asians was compared with control groups of elderly and young whites and young Asians. Levels o f 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in elderly Asians (21/37) and young Asians (7/17) compared with white controls. The difference in parathyroid hormone (PTH) between Asians and whites was also significant (p < 0.0007) as was that between young and old (p < 0.0002). Abnormal PTH and 25-OHD3 (high PTH and low 25-O HD3), indicative of a high risk of osteomalacia, occurred in 22% of el derly Asians compared with 6% of elderly whites. The calcium, phosphat e and alkaline phosphatase were normal in all individuals. Among the A sians, vegetarianism was not related to lower 25-OHD3 levels. Symptoms suggestive of osteomalacia were more common (p < 0.05) in elderly Asi ans than in their white counterparts. This first study of 25-OHD3 leve ls in community-resident elderly Asians suggests that more than half w ere low, placing them at a significantly higher risk of osteomalacia.