High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and generalized bone pain in Turkish immigrants in Germany: identification of risk factors

Osteoporos Int. 2006;17(8):1133-40. doi: 10.1007/s00198-006-0069-2. Epub 2006 May 23.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT), generalized bone pain and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a cohort of 994 healthy adult urban residents (589 males, 405 females; age range: 16-69 years) consisting of 101 Germans, 327 Turkish residents of Turkey and 566 Turkish immigrants living in Germany.

Methods: The mean (+/- standard deviation) for 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and biointact parathyroid hormone (BioPTH) for the German men and women was 68.4 nmol/l and 26.7 pg/ml, respectively. Turkish residents of Turkey had a mean 25(OH)D and BioPTH of 40.6 nmol/l and 27.5 pg/ml, respectively, whereas Turkish residents of Germany had a 25(OH)D of 38.1 nmol/l and a BioPTH of 35.6 pg/ml.

Results: Vitamin D insufficiency was common among Turkish nationals independent of whether they lived in Turkey or Germany; 75% had 25(OH)D levels of <50 nmol/l. Turkish females had a higher prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency (<25 nmol/l) than Turkish males: 30 and 19% of Turkish females living in Germany and Turkey were severely vitamin D deficient compared to 8% and 6% of Turkish males living in Germany and Turkey, respectively. With respect to BioPTH levels, 31% of Turkish females and 21% of Turkish males had elevated BioPTH levels in contrast to only 15% of females and 4% of males living in Turkey. Unconditional logistic regression analysis identified the most important predictors for low 25(OH)D levels as sex, body mass index, lack of sun exposure and living at a higher latitude. Additionally, wearing a scarf and number of children were found to be an independent risk factor for vitamin D deficiency in Turkish women living in Turkey and Germany. A strong correlation between low 25(OH)D levels and higher rates and longer duration of generalized bone and/or muscle aches and pains (often diagnosed as fibromyalgia) was observed.

Conclusion: Secondary hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency was found to be common among Turkish immigrants living in Germany, especially in veiled women. Therefore, the monitoring of vitamin D status--i.e. 25(OH)D and PTH--in Turkish immigrants is warranted and once a deficiency is identified, it should be appropriately treated.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Calcium / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emigration and Immigration*
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia / epidemiology*
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteomalacia / epidemiology*
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Turkey
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D
  • Calcium