Thresholds for Serum 25(OH)D Concentrations With Respect to Different Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nutritional Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and increasingly linked to chronic disease.
• Optimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels remain debated.
• Thresholds may differ based on specific health outcomes and population subgroups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine serum 25(OH)D concentration thresholds for various health outcomes.
• To identify differing thresholds across distinct demographic subgroups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (n=1164).
• Assessed outcomes including falls, fractures, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and mortality.
• Employed spline curves and statistical modeling to estimate 25(OH)D thresholds.

Main Results:

• Serum 25(OH)D thresholds ranged from 46 nmol/L (for PTH) to 68 nmol/L (for hypertension).
• Women, older individuals (≥75 years), and those with higher BMI (>25 kg/m²) exhibited lower thresholds.
• These findings contrast with higher proposed thresholds (>75 nmol/L).

Conclusions:

• Serum 25(OH)D thresholds are outcome- and subgroup-dependent.
• The study does not support higher vitamin D recommendations for women, older adults, or individuals with high BMI.
• Findings suggest personalized approaches to vitamin D sufficiency are warranted.