Phototype, vitamin D status and bone mineral density among women at risk of osteoporosis

Purpose. - The aim of this study was to test the influence of phototype and vitamin D status feature on the bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck in a group of middle-aged women considered at risk of osteoporosis (low levels of vitamin D [25(OH)D3 < 78 nmol/L] and hyperparathyroidism [parathormone level > 36 pg/mL]). Methods. - This two-step study was conducted on 122 French women enrolled in the SUVIMAX (supplementation en vitamines et mineraux antioxydants: antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation) cohort. The impact of various variables on BMD, including age, body mass index (BMI), vitamin D status, alcohol intake, sun exposure intensity and phototype was investigated using regression models. Results. - No statistical link was found between BMD and the variables documenting vitamin D status and parathormone levels, nor phototype. Nevertheless, fair phototypes tended to be associated with lower BMD values. However, BMD decreased with age and increased with BMI and physical activity level. Conclusions. - Whatever their phototype, adult women concerned about precarious vitamin D status should undergo a vitamin D supplementation in combination with an adequate calcium intake all year long and a proper sun protection. Moreover, a physical activity maintenance should provide an additional benefit for prevention of osteoporosis. (C) 2006 Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.