Document Detail


An investigation of ethnic differences in bone mineral, hip axis length, calcium metabolism and bone turnover between West African and Caucasian adults living in the United Kingdom.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10355494     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The aim of the study was to investigate factors relating to calcium and bone metabolism which might explain the low incidence of osteoporotic fracture among Africans. Adult bone mineral status, hip axis length and biochemical indices were investigated in 20 Caucasians (10 male, 10 female) and 19 Gambians (12 male, 7 female) living in the UK. Bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and BMC adjusted for bone area, body weight and height (size-adjusted BMC) were measured for the whole-body, lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter, radius shaft and radius wrist using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. There were no significant differences in whole body or regional BMC; values tended to be lower in the Gambians. Gambian men had higher size-adjusted BMC at the femoral neck (Gambian-British = 21%, 95% CI = 6 to 36%, p < 0.01), associated with a smaller bone area (Gambian-British = -11%, 95% CI = -20 to -2%, p = 0.02). BMD was affected similarly. No other significant differences in BMD or size-adjusted BMC were observed. Gambians had shorter hip axis length (Gambian British, after accounting for sex, = -5%, 95% CI = -9 to -1%, p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in bone turnover (osteocalcin, bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase, urinary deoxypyridinoline) or calciotropic hormone levels (parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, calcitonin). Gambian men had lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (Gambian = 26.3 SD 12.0 nmol/L, British = 55.5 SD 13.9 nmol/L, p < 0.0001), a difference not seen among the women. Gambian men and women excreted significantly less phosphate and potassium than British subjects by 30-60%; urinary calcium and sodium excretion were similar in the two groups. This study revealed few ethnic differences that could account for the disparity in osteoporotic fracture rates between Africans and Caucasians, with the possible exception of anatomical differences in the hip.
Authors:
B Dibba; A Prentice; M A Laskey; D M Stirling; T J Cole
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Annals of human biology     Volume:  26     ISSN:  0301-4460     ISO Abbreviation:  Ann. Hum. Biol.     Publication Date:    1999 May-Jun
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1999-07-02     Completed Date:  1999-07-02     Revised Date:  2013-04-29    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0404024     Medline TA:  Ann Hum Biol     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  229-42     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council Dunn Nutrition Unit, Cambridge, UK.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Absorptiometry, Photon
Adolescent
Adult
African Continental Ancestry Group*
Body Height
Body Weight
Bone Density*
Bone and Bones / chemistry,  metabolism*
Calcium / metabolism*
Dihydroxycholecalciferols / analysis
Ethnic Groups*
European Continental Ancestry Group*
Female
Femur / anatomy & histology,  chemistry
Femur Neck / anatomy & histology,  chemistry
Fractures, Bone / etiology
Gambia / ethnology
Great Britain
Hip Joint / anatomy & histology*
Humans
Lumbar Vertebrae / anatomy & histology,  chemistry
Male
Middle Aged
Osteoporosis / complications,  metabolism
Phosphates / urine
Potassium / urine
Radius / anatomy & histology,  chemistry
Sex Factors
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
G9827821//Medical Research Council; G9827821(62595)//Medical Research Council
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Dihydroxycholecalciferols; 0/Phosphates; 7440-09-7/Potassium; 7440-70-2/Calcium

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