A POTENTIAL RISK FOR OSTEOMALACIA DUE TO SOCIOCULTURAL LIFE-STYLE IN TURKISH WOMEN

Osteomalacia is a metabolic bone disease caused by deficiency of vitam in D or its active metabolites. Because poor sunlight exposure is one of the most common causes of osteomalacia, the disease seems to be rar e in countries with adequate sunlight. We report nine Turkish female p atients with osteomalacia with ages between 21 and 50 years. Osteomala cia was diagnosed on the basis of a history of bone aches or pains, mu scle weakness, low or low normal serum calcium and urinary calcium, de creased concentrations of serum inorganic phosphorus and 25- hydroxyvi tamin D and increased serum intact PTH and alkaline phosphatase levels . Radiographically, pseudo-fractures were present in seven of the pati ents. The patients' symptoms and signs were relieved with the treatmen t with vitamin D analogues and calcium. Their hypovitaminosis D are su ggested to be caused by excessive clothing in the outdoors due to soci ocultural and religious reasons. Excessive clothing may be a risk fact or for osteomalacia in young to middle-aged and otherwise healthy wome n even in countries with adequate sunlight.