POOR VITAMIN D STATUS IS ASSOCIATED WITH A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH: RESULTS OF THE D-FINES STUDY

There is a considerable lack of data examining poor vitamin D status on bone health and muscle function in different UK ethnic groups. The D-FINES study examined 373 Surrey-dwelling Caucasian (C) and Asian (A) women in four seasons of the year for diet, sunlight exposure, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and grip strength (GS). In the autumn season, lumbar spine bone mineral density (LSBMD) was also measured. The aim of this work was to examine differences in LSBMD and GS in A and C pre and postmenopausal women according to 25(OH)D. When women were grouped by 25(OH)D ( 75nmol/l. For GS, controlling for lean arm mass, a statistically significant difference between the four ethnic/menopausal groups (F=24.851, p 0.05). Overall, LS BMD was significantly higher in individuals with 25(OH)D >75nmol/l compared to those with <39nmol/l. These findings suggest poor 25(OH)D may be detrimental to bone health, which could potentially translate into increased fracture risk long-term. Also, 25(OH)D was positively correlated with GS in all women in all seasons, indicating low 25(OH)D may decrease GS, most likely via poorer muscle function. These findings are a cause for public health concern. This work was funded by the UK Foods Standards Agency (NO5064)