Correlational Analysis of Bone Health Status and Vitamin D-Related Biomarkers in Women Working in Agriculture
- Author:
Jo Jae YOON
1
;
Min-Chul CHO
;
Ki Soo PARK
;
Jeong Kyu SHIN
;
Soon Ae LEE
;
In Ae CHO
;
Hyen Chul JO
;
Seung Chan KIM
;
Won Jun CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Republic of Korea
- From:Journal of Menopausal Medicine
2021;27(3):s8-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of bone health in women working in agriculture and analyze the associations between bone health and various vitamin D-related biomarkers.
Methods:This observational study enrolled women working in agriculture (n = 210) and control occupations (n = 180). The concentration of serum total 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured using the Elecsys Vitamin D Total Kit, and serum vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Along with albumin, 25(OH)D and VDBP were used to calculate the concentrations of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D. Bone mineral density (BMD) and T-score were measured at lumbar 1–4 and the femur neck using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. To identify factors affecting BMD, log-linear model and linear regression analysis were performed for statistical analysis.
Results:Agricultural women workers showed higher serum concentrations of bioavailable 25(OH)D (12.8 ± 3.7 vs. 8.7 ± 5.1 ng/mL) and lower VDBP concentrations (201.8 ± 45.0 vs. 216.0 ± 68.2 μg/ mL) than control women. The association between these two vitamin D related-biomarkers and femur neck BMD were confirmed through univariable and multivariable linear model analysis. Although lumbar BMD did not differ between groups, the agricultural group displayed a lower femur BMD and a 4.3-fold increase in the risk of osteoporosis compared with the control group.
Conclusions:Women working in agriculture showed lower femur BMD than the control group. Of the vitamin D-related biomarkers tested, bioavailable 25(OH)D and VDBP were associated with BMD. As bioavailable 25(OH)D levels are affected mainly by VDBP levels, VDBP may play a role in the lower femur neck BMD values observed in the agricultural group. Thus, the measurement of VDBP concentration might be considered a simple and non-invasive method for measuring bone health status.
